Egozi: Will Israel Deploy More Iron Dome Systems to Confront Future Threats ?

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By Arie Egozi

Iron Dome is, without any doubt, the “star” of the current fighting with Gaza. 90% intercepts have made the system more unique than ever.

Without going into details, there is now a question about the need for more Iron Dome systems.

This system has been recently upgraded by RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems, the company that has developed it.

While the U.S army purchased two systems and when other countries show great interest, the current fighting points to a need for more systems to be deployed in Israel, in anticipation of future wars where rockets will be the main weapon system of the enemy.

In a recent test, the Israeli Iron Dome system proved its improved capability to intercept many aerial targets, including salvos of rockets and UAVs. 

Iron Dome detects, assesses and intercepts a variety of shorter-range targets such as rockets, artillery and mortars. It is effective day or night and in all weather conditions, including low clouds, rain, dust storms and fog. It features a first-of-its-kind multi-mission launcher designed to fire a variety of interceptor missiles.

Iron Dome’s Tamir missile intercepts incoming threats launched from ranges of 4-70 km. Tamir missiles feature electro-optical sensors and steering fins with different warheads including a proximity fuze blast one. 

In Israel, the Iron Dome systems are deployed mainly along the border with Lebanon and with Gaza, but not only, in accordance with situation evaluations.

The development of the Iron Dome is led by the IMDO in the Ministry of Defense. The prime contractor for its development is RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. The system’s MMR radar is developed by ELTA, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and the command and control system (BMC) is developed by mPrest. 

The impressive success of the Iron Dome makes the operational need for more systems very relevant.

Hezbollah in Lebanon has some 140,000 rockets, more powerful and more accurate than the rockets used by Hamas in Gaza.

This puts the operational demand for more systems high on the wish list of the IDF.