Israel’s missile defence systems, including David’s Sling and the Arrow series, play a crucial role in protecting the country from increasingly complex aerial threats. While the Iron Dome is widely recognized for intercepting short-range rockets, David’s Sling and Arrow 2 and 3 target higher-flying, longer-range ballistic missiles that travel at much faster speeds.These systems form part of Israel’s multi-layered air defence strategy, designed to neutralize threats from hostile actors such as Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, which possess significant missile and drone capabilities.
The recent Iranian missile attacks on Israel, in which more than 200 ballistic missiles were launched, once again tested the effectiveness of these systems. The Arrow systems, capable of intercepting missiles at altitudes beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, and David’s Sling, designed for medium- to long-range missile interceptions, successfully neutralized the vast majority of the incoming missiles. Together with the Iron Dome, these systems form a defensive shield, providing Israel with a powerful response to increasingly sophisticated threats from the region.
Here is an FAQ on Israel’s missile defence systems:
1. What are ‘David’s Sling’ and ‘Arrow’ anti-missile systems?
‘David’s Sling’ and the ‘Arrow’ systems are advanced missile defence systems developed by Israel to counter medium- and long-range ballistic missile threats. These systems work alongside the more commonly known ‘Iron Dome,’ which focuses on intercepting short-range rockets. The Arrow systems (Arrow 2 and Arrow 3) are designed to target longer-range missiles, including Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), while David’s Sling intercepts medium- to long-range missiles and other aerial threats.
2. How do ‘David’s Sling’ and ‘Arrow’ differ from the Iron Dome?
While the Iron Dome primarily defends against short-range rockets and drones, David’s Sling and Arrow systems target high-altitude, longer-range missiles. David’s Sling covers a range of 25 to 186 miles and is designed for medium- to long-range missile interceptions. On the other hand, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 are tailored to defend against long-range and ICBM threats. Arrow 3 can even intercept missiles outside Earth’s atmosphere.
3. How effective are these systems?
During yesterdays’ Iranian missile attack on Israel, more than 200 ballistic missiles were launched, and Israel’s defence systems were highly effective. Together with the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow systems intercepted 99% of over 300 drones, ballistic, and cruise missiles launched in a previous April attack. The Arrow 2 system was also used to shoot down long-range missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi militant group, highlighting its capabilities.
4. What is unique about the Arrow systems?
The Arrow 3 system is particularly notable because it has a range of 1,500 miles and can intercept missiles at altitudes of 100 miles. This capability allows Arrow 3 to neutralize threats beyond Earth’s atmosphere, functioning similarly to the US THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) system. Arrow 2, however, intercepts missiles within the atmosphere, and its proximity-based detonation helps in bringing down incoming threats.
5. How does David’s Sling work?
David’s Sling uses a two-stage missile with a “hit-to-kill” technology, meaning it destroys incoming threats through direct impact rather than a warhead explosion. This precision has been compared to “hitting a bullet with a bullet” due to the high speeds involved. It can defend against both ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, making it a versatile part of Israel’s air defence.
6. What role do the US and Raytheon play in these systems?
Both David’s Sling and Iron Dome were co-developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems in Israel and Raytheon, a US defence contractor. Additionally, the US military has assisted Israel in intercepting missile attacks, especially during large-scale bombardments. For example, President Biden directed US forces to help Israel shoot down missiles during an Iranian attack.
7. Can these systems be overwhelmed by massive attacks?
While Israel’s air defense systems are highly sophisticated, they can be overwhelmed by saturation attacks, where a large number of missiles are launched simultaneously. Israel acknowledges that groups like Hezbollah could potentially launch up to 3,000 missiles daily in an all-out war, pushing the limits of even the most advanced systems.
8. How does Israel’s missile defense layer work?
Israel’s missile defence is a multi-layered system. The outer layer is provided by Arrow 2 and Arrow 3, designed to intercept long-range missiles from thousands of kilometers away. David’s Sling forms the middle layer, targeting medium-range missiles. The inner layer consists of the Iron Dome, which is used to intercept short-range rockets and mortars. Together, these layers create a protective shield that has proven effective in defending Israel from a variety of aerial threats.
9. How do David’s Sling and Arrow systems handle the threat from Hezbollah and other groups?
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has a significant stockpile of precision-guided missiles capable of reaching deep into Israel, threatening strategic targets such as military bases and infrastructure. Both David’s Sling and Arrow systems are essential to counter these threats, especially against long-range and more advanced missiles. However, Hezbollah’s use of drones has proven more difficult to counter, as these can sometimes evade traditional missile defence systems.
10. What is the future of Israel’s missile defence?
Israel is continuously enhancing its defence systems, including developing laser-based technologies like Iron Beam, which will likely be operational by 2025. This system is expected to intercept short-range projectiles more cost-effectively than traditional interceptors, adding another layer to Israel’s air defence network.
(With inputs from agencies)