Israel’s Iron Dome: What to know about the nation’s missile defense system

Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system has come back into the spotlight this week after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles into the country Tuesday night — a move the regime has deemed a direct response to the deaths of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps figure.

Israel’s military, along with help from the United States, was largely able to thwart the attack, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate over the assault.

Here’s what you need to know about the world-renowned defense system:

What is the Iron Dome, and how does it operate?

The Iron Dome is a network of radars and missile launchers that Israel uses to identify incoming short-range rockets and intercept them if they are headed toward a sensitive or civilian area. The system was developed by two Israeli companies with support from the United States. It has touted an accuracy rate as high as 90% and was first deployed in 2011.

The missile interceptors, which destroy incoming rockets, use radar to monitor a rocket or missile’s path. If the path looks like the rocket will land in a populated area, the interceptors are deployed.

How many missiles and interceptors does Israel have?

Israel currently has 10 Iron Dome batteries stationed around the country, and they are strategically placed near highly populated areas and cities. Each battery includes three to four launchers, and each launcher can hold up to 20 interceptors, according to Raytheon.

Each battery can protect up to 60 square miles and can detect rockets up to 43 miles away, or at a distance of 4-70 kilometers. Raytheon and Israeli authorities have said the Iron Dome has a success rate of intercepting incoming fire above 90%.

What are some of the Iron Dome’s weaknesses?

One clear weakness in the defense system is the possibility of it being overwhelmed. Israel’s enemies know there is likely a saturation point in which a barrage of rockets would be too great for the defense system to fight off efficiently.

There is also the matter of costs, which rise during times of war and conflict. Each missile that intercepts a rockets costs around $40,000, according to CNN. Its limited range of up to 43 miles away can also be perceived as a weakness; however, it is only one aspect of Israel’s defense system.

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Other parts of Israel’s air defense

Israel has a multi-tier air defense system, which means that it is not solely reliant on the Iron Dome; rather, it is only Israel’s primary defense from short-range missiles. It works alongside the David’s Sling system, also known as Magic Wand. David’s Sling covers the middle range of between 62-124 miles. The long-distance air defense system is the Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 systems, which are designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside of the Earth’s atmosphere.

The Washington Examiner‘s Mike Brest contributed to this report.