Explainer
What is Israel’s Iron Dome defence system – and why is it so effective?
The short-range air defence system began operating in 2011 and uses radars to detect and intercept rockets, missiles, and drones.
Sunday 14 April 2024 09:33, UK
Israel's Iron Dome air defense system launches missiles to intercept rockets fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel, over Gaza City, early Thursday, April 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
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How does the Iron Dome work?
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Israel’s air defence system is one of the most effective in the world.
The Iron Dome began operating in 2011, largely in response to the 2006 war that ended with Hamas taking control of Gaza the following year.
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It uses radars to detect and intercept short-range rockets, missiles and drones.
Mobile launchers and ‘battle management centres’
The Iron Dome was developed by Israel’s state-owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with US support.
The system consists of a series of truck-towed mobile units placed strategically throughout the country.
Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system fires to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip Pic: AP
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Mobile units fire to intercept a rocket from Gaza. Pic: AP
In this July 5, 2014 file photo, an Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept a rocket from Gaza Strip in the costal city of Ashkelon, Israel. The Israeli Defense Ministry said Tuesday, March 16, 2021 that the Iron Dome air defense system has been upgraded and is now capable for intercepting rocket and missile salvos as well as simultaneous attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov, File)
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A counter missile fired in 2014. Pic: AP
When their radars detect a threat, the information is sent to a ‘battle management centre’ where military personnel analyse it, anticipating its path and impact point, and decide which missile launcher to use to intercept it.
Counter missiles are then fired directly at the threat – or near it – so the shrapnel can neutralise it.
The iron dome has blocked almost 90% of Hamas airstrikes since the violence began eight days ago
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An Israeli ‘battle management centre’
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The dome, known as Kippat Barzel in Hebrew, reacts within a matter of seconds and is manned 24 hours a day.
Originally it was designed to protect cities and strategic sites against missiles with a range of 2.5 and 43 miles, but it is thought to have been expanded.
More than 90% effective
It has consistently blocked more than 90% of rockets fired towards Israel, with a naval version deployed to protect ships and other assets in 2017.
This is why the number of Israeli deaths in the current war with Hamas has remained low, while those in Gaza continue to increase.
Soon after it began operating it became the envy of other militaries.
Rafael has said it has supplied at least two Iron Dome batteries to the US army, with Ukraine having made a similar request.
Streaks of light are seen in Ashkelon as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel
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The Iron Dome in operation in 2021. Pic: Reuters
Saturation point unknown
Although extremely effective, it is not perfect. The dome has a saturation point at which it would become overwhelmed, but this exact level is unknown.
Iran’s attack on 13 April saw 170 drones, 120 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles used, “99%” of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome, according to Israel Defence Forces (IDF) data.
When war broke out on 7 October last year, 3,000 rockets were fired from Gaza at once.
Over the course of Israel’s 50-day war with Gaza, 4,000 missiles were fired in total.
Israel also has medium and long-range defence systems, known as David’s Sling, Patriot, and Arrow.
