Israel's top air defense is getting a more intense workout than its missile chief ever imagined
Israel's Arrow missile defense system has seen significantly higher usage than anticipated due to repeated ballistic missile attacks from Iran. The system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing, maintains an interception rate of over 90% and is currently evolving into next-generation models.
Why it matters
The high performance and frequent deployment of the Arrow system highlight the shifting nature of modern aerial warfare and the critical role of advanced missile defense in regional stability.
The Israeli-made Arrow system has been used to engage hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles over the past two years. RALF HIRSCHBERGER/AFP via Getty Images Israel's top air defense system, Arrow, has engaged hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles. A senior Israeli official said he never expected Arrow to be used as much as it has been. The system has been credited with an interception rate of over 90% in recent clashes with Iran. When Israel's top air defense system first came online more than two decades ago, the idea that it might one day be used to battle hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles seemed far-fetched to some. "I can tell you that I didn't imagine that we would use Arrow as much as we [did] during the last three years, but this is our life," said Moshe Patel, the director and general manager of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization.
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