Israel’s air defenses are among the best in the world and were designed exactly for this type of attack like Iran’s current one. However, there is no shortage of challenges to its resistance, especially such a large blow.
Israel has a well-equipped three-tier air defense system, explains Al Jazeera military editor Alex Gatapoulos.
The three levels of the system
Its Iron Dome system combats low-level attacks such as unguided rockets, the Barak 8 system intercepts medium-range fire, and the Arrow 3 system combats long-range missiles such as those likely used by Iran.
The missiles fired from Tehran, they would probably have been mounted on mobile launchers, difficult to detect and therefore intercept, explains Gatapoulos, especially when they come from a populated area with diverse terrain like Iran, he added.
Even when intercepted, ‘Missile debris can kill just as easily ... we’re talking about a ton more warhead”, he added.
Israel announces retaliation after Iranian missile attack sends thousands of people to shelters
