Here are 5 fascinating facts about these systems.

1. Three-layer defense 

Israel’s air defense system has three layers, each designed to tackle threats from different distances. 

The Iron Dome, introduced in 2011, intercepts short-range rockets and drones (4-70km / 2.5-43 miles) and is largely used to tackle unguided rockets launched from Gaza and Lebanon. 

David’s Sling, operational since 2017, directly targets large-caliber rockets and short-range ballistic missiles from a range of 70-300km / 43-186 miles. 

Arrow-2, in use since 2017, targets long-range ballistic missiles (300 – 500 km / 186 – 310 miles) and Arrow-3 targets intercontinental ballistic missiles, the big daddy of all missiles, which fly above the Earth’s atmosphere and are designed primarily to deliver nuclear weapons.

2. Firing near the rocket

The Iron Dome uses radar to detect and track rockets and determine if they’re likely to strike populated areas. If so, it fires an interceptor missile that explodes near the rocket – without actually striking it – and knocks it out of the sky. 

The Iron Dome was designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, with US support, in just two and a half years after the 2006 conflict with Hezbollah and is credited with saving countless lives.

3. David and Goliath

David’s Sling, originally known as Magic Wand, is named after the weapon used by the biblical shepherd to slay the giant Goliath. It was jointly developed and manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in Israel and Raytheon in the US. 

Israel’s Defense Ministry signed a deal last November to sell David’s Sling to Finland for $344 million though it has so far declined requests so supply the system to Ukraine.

4. Interceptions out of Earth’s atmosphere

Israel built on the success of Arrow-2 by developing Arrow-3, designed to intercept so-called “exo-atmospheric threats” — ballistic missiles that fly 1,200km (750 miles) above the Earth’s atmosphere in suborbital space. 

Israel is one of just five countries capable of intercepting such missiles. Arrow-3 uses hit-to-kill technology to knock out the missiles before they re-enter the earth’s atmosphere. 

Israel has finalized an agreement to sell the Arrow-3 air defense system to Germany in a deal valued at $3.6 billion. It is now working on Arrow-4, which will have enhanced capabilities.

5. F35 stealth jets

Israel has 39 state-of-the-art single-seat F-35 stealth fighter jets, which can fly at Mach 1.6 (1,910kmh / 1,190mph) and are virtually invisible to enemy defenses. The US-made planes (which cost around $100 million each) have been described as “a computer that happens to fly” because of its “situational awareness.” Some F-35 models can take off and land vertically.

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