'David's Sling', 'Arrow' anti-missile systems: How Israel countered Iran's attack

During Tuesday's Iranian attack involving over 200 ballistic missiles, Israel used its defence system, showcasing its efficiency in neutralising long-range, high-speed projectiles.

In Short

• Israel's multi-layered missile defence countered Iranian attack
• Iron Dome intercepted most short-range rockets
• David's Sling neutralised medium and long-range missiles

Israel’s missile defence strategy relies on a sophisticated, multi-layered system designed to tackle a range of incoming threats. During Tuesday’s Iranian attack involving over 200 ballistic missiles, Israel used this defence system, showcasing its efficiency in neutralising long-range, high-speed projectiles.

Iron Dome

The Iron Dome is Israel’s most recognised defence system, responsible for intercepting short-range, unguided rockets typically fired by Hezbollah and Hamas. Despite its reputation, it was unable to fully prevent the surprise Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Major General Ashok Kumar (retd.), Director General of the Centre For Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), explained that certain peacetime procedures and the overwhelming number of targets caused the system to be briefly overwhelmed, although it still handled most of the threats and minimised damage. Following this, Israel quickly activated its broader missile defence systems, preventing further substantial damage from Iran’s ballistic missile assault.

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David’s Sling

David’s Sling is designed to intercept medium and long-range ballistic missiles, operating at ranges from 25 to 186 miles. Using “hit-to-kill” technology, this system neutralises missiles through direct impact. Major General Kumar emphasised that once the full suite of Israeli defences was deployed after the initial Hamas attack, systems like David’s Sling were key to intercepting the more advanced threats, particularly the longer-range missiles fired by Iran.

Arrow 2 And Arrow 3

These systems handle even longer-range ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Arrow 2 detonates near an incoming missile, while Arrow 3, like David’s Sling, uses direct impact to destroy threats in space. The Arrow systems are capable of intercepting missiles up to 1,500 miles away and 100 miles above the Earth. Defence experts highlight that these systems give Israel a crucial upper tier of protection against threats like Iran, which is nearly 2,000 kilometres away from Israel. The time it takes for such missiles to travel gives Israeli systems a vital window to detect, track, and engage.

Expert Insights

Initial Hamas Attack: According to Major General Kumar, the Iron Dome was initially unable to neutralise the entire Hamas attack due to peacetime procedures and the sheer number of incoming threats. However, once Israel fully mobilised its defence infrastructure, it effectively neutralised most of the missiles launched by Iran. Major General Kumar added that although some missiles did hit their targets, the damage was minimal due to the rapid and integrated response of the Israeli missile defence network.

International Assistance: In the recent attack, Major General Kumar noted that Israel was aided by the US and the UK, who provided support to neutralise the Iranian missile threat. US assets such as early warning systems, played a crucial role in helping Israel intercept most of the missiles.

Challenges of Supersonic Missiles: Major General Kumar warned that the increasing use of supersonic missiles could complicate future engagements. These missiles fly at higher speeds, making detection and neutralisation more challenging. As missile technology evolves, even advanced defence systems like David’s Sling and Arrow will face new hurdles in maintaining their interception rates.

Comparisons with India: While India shares a similar defence philosophy of employing a mix of air defence systems, Major General Kumar pointed out that India’s requirements are far greater than Israel’s due to its larger geographical area. This poses a challenge in terms of deploying enough defence systems across the country, compared to Israel’s relatively smaller and more concentrated area of defence.

Israel’s multi-layered defence system, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow 2 and 3 systems, has proven highly effective in neutralising a wide range of threats, even from sophisticated long-range missiles. However, as Major General Kumar highlighted, the nature of modern warfare is evolving with faster and more advanced missile technologies. Israel’s ability to stay ahead of these threats, with the assistance of allies and continuous upgrades, will be key to maintaining its security.