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Mahesh

17/04/24 07:06 AM IST

Israel’s multi-layered air defence system

In News
  • Israel’s multi-layered air defence system has defended the country from a major attack, with Iran launching over 300 armed drones and long-range missiles.
Working of Defence System
  • Israel’s air defence system is meant to provide multi-layered defences against a range of aerial threats, which includes aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
  • While cruise missiles fly at a low distance from the ground, ballistic missiles follow a parabolic trajectory.
  • It includes systems such as Arrow 2 and Arrow 3, David’s Sling (Stunner), Iron Dome, Patriot Advanced Capability-2, PAC-3 and advanced fighter jets operated by the country’s air force.
  • They are designed to counter specific threats and are integrated to work in tandem to provide a full-proof protection from projectiles.
Components of defence system
  • The Arrow system is a family of anti-ballistic missiles, capable of intercepting long-range missiles.
  • Developed in collaboration with the US, Arrow-2 can intercept ballistic missiles within the atmosphere.
  • Arrow-3 has the capability of intercepting missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere and it was employed to intercept long-range missiles launched by the Houthi militia in Yemen.
  • The Houthis are believed to be backed by Iran.
  • The David’s Sling (or Stunner) is Israel’s medium-range air defence system, which can intercept cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and aircraft.
  • With a range of 300 kilometres, it also has an advanced phased-array radar for easier detection.
  • The Iron Dome is Israel’s indigenous short-range air defence system which can intercept rockets, artillery shells, and mortar bombs. With a 70 kilometre range, it has been effectively shooting down short-range threats such as rockets launched by Hamas.
  • The US-made Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 are air defence systems that can intercept a range of missiles and target aircraft and drones.
  • Counted as among the oldest air defence systems, they were employed during the First Gulf War in 1991 for intercepting Scud missiles launched by Iraq.
  • The F-16 and F-35 fighter jets play a major role in air defence, being equipped with air-to-air missiles.
  • Additionally, Israel is developing the Iron Beam to intercept incoming threats with laser technology. It is yet to be fully operational.
Source- Indian Express

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