Latest news with #Arrow-2
India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Israel-Iran war: US' THAAD air defense system depleted by 14% while protecting Israel from Iranian missiles, may take years to…, Pentagon concerned because…
THAAD in action (File) Israel-Iran war: The United States spent billions of dollars worth of its missile stocks to protect Israel from advanced Iranian ballistic missiles during last month's 12-day-long Israel-Iran war, with a recent report revealing that as much as 14 percent missile stocks of US' THAAD air defense system were exhausted in shooting down missiles fired towards Israel, and would take about 3-5 years to replenish. Why US' THAAD missile stocks depleted? According to analysis conducted by researchers at the Jewish National Security Institute of America (JINSA), Israel used up more than of interceptors of the THAAD air defense system to stop the Iranian missile barrage during the 12-day Israel-Iran war. As per the report, Iran launched a total of 574 different types of missiles at Israel, out of 201 were successfully intercepted by the THAAD air defense system, along with Israel's Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors, while remaining were purportedly shot down using other defense systems, including the famed Iron Dome. However, the report noted that it could take anywhere between 3 to 5 years to replenish the THAAD batteries that were depleted in protecting Israel against Iranian missiles. As many as 92 THAAD interceptors were fired to stop Iran's medium-range ballistic missiles, which is a large part of the US's total estimated stockpile of 632 THAAD missiles, it stated. 'This also means that we have to replenish our reserves faster and return to earlier levels rapidly,' JINSA Associate Director Sicurel noted in the report. How much do THAAD interceptors cost? Manufactured by US defence giant Lockheed Martin, each THAAD interceptor costs a whopping $12.7 million (Rs 106 crore). THAAD missiles are one of the few capable of intercepting ballistic missiles by flying into the upper atmosphere, providing theater-level aerial defense to the countries who have the system deployed. However, their replenishment is extremely slow due to a multitude of factors, including cost. In 2024, the US purchased a mere 11 THAAD interceptors, and is expected to acquire 12 more by the end of 2025, as per the JINSA report. The US is likely add another 25–37 THAAD missiles by 2026, but even at this rate, the stocks will not be replenished within at least the next five years, the report stated. Additionally, the US has signed deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, at $15 billion and $42 billion, respectively, for supplying THAAD interceptors to these countries, but now faces the conundrum of whether to fulfil its own requirements, or deliver the missiles to its key allies in the Middle East. What is Pentagon's response? According to media reports, the Pentagon is concerned about the rapid depletion and replenishment of THAAD missile stocks, however, no official comment has been issued so far.
India.com
17-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Bad news for Iran as Israel develops the Arrow 4 air defense system, it can intercept ballistic missiles from..., capable of destroying...
Israel ready for permanent ceasefire with Hamas but..., Netanyahu lays down condition to stop fight in Gaza, calls Hamas... Tel Aviv: In a major development, the Netanyahu-led Israeli government has announced that it has developed the Arrow-4 air defense system and will soon deploy it for the country's protection. Talking to the media, Boaz Levy, CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, confirmed that the deployment of Arrow-4 is now 'just a matter of time'. It is important to note that this missile is an upgraded variant of the existing Arrow-3. The Arrow-4 air defense system has been designed to intercept ballistic missiles at shorter ranges with greater accuracy. Israel is also working on the Arrow-5 system. The Arrow-4 system has been developed based on the 'shoot-look-shoot' operational theory, according to Israel Aerospace Industries. 'Shoot-look-shoot' operational theory means it can adjust its course after launch to more effectively destroy the target. It includes new warhead technology and an improved seeker system, enabling it to counter hypersonic and advanced ballistic missiles. During the recent conflict, Iran had used advanced ballistic missiles against Israel. Reports indicate that Israel successfully intercepted about 85 percent of these missiles, yet around 50 missiles did hit Israeli territory, causing significant destruction. The development of Arrow-4 aims to fill the gap in Israel's air defense system that adversaries could exploit. Here are some of the key details: It will take about two more years for this missile defense system to be fully inducted into the Israeli military, according to the reports. Israel has instructed the company to integrate the missiles into the system as soon as possible The Arrow-5 system that Israel is currently working on is expected to replace the Arrow-3 This will enable the country to neutralize even the most advanced ballistic missile threats. Once Arrow-4 is deployed, Israel will gain an additional layer of security beyond the existing Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 systems. This project began in 2021 when Israel and the United States jointly announced the development of the Arrow-4 system. The Arrow series defense system is already the world's first fully operational anti-ballistic missile system, which includes the Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 missiles. The Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 missiles are so powerful that it can intercept incoming missiles traveling at speeds of up to 3 km/second. With the introduction of the Arrow-4, this network will become even more lethal. It has the capability to neutralize hypersonic missiles and uses mid-course correction technology.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Israel running low on missile interceptors as conflict with Iran continues: Report
Israel is running low on the defensive Arrow interceptors, according to a report in Wall Street Journal that cited an unnamed US official, raising concerns about Israel's ability to counter long-range ballistic missiles from Iran if the conflict continues. The report also claimed that US has been aware of the capacity of problems for months and Washington has been augmenting Israel's defenses with systems on the ground, at sea and in the air. The report also stated that since the escalation of conflict in June, Pentagon has sent missile defense assets in the region. However now there is a concern that US is also burning through their supply of interceptrs as well. Director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that neither the US nor Israel can 'continue to sit and intercept missiles all day.' He also said that Israel and his allies need to move with haste to do whatever needs to be done, and that they 'cannot afford to sit and play catch. Meanwhile, Israel Aerospace Industries, the company that makes Arrow interceptors, did not respond requests about comments on the matter. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that, ' IDF is prepared and ready to handle any scenario. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on matters related to munitions.' The Arrow missile defence system, comprises of Arrow-2 and Arrow-3. This system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles beyond the earth's atmosphere. It employs a detachable warhead that collides with its target, neutralising potential threats before they can reach populated areas. The other layers of Israel's defense system include David's Sling, and the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors. The US Army also has similar defense systems as Israel, it has the Patriot PAC-3 (comparable to David's Sling) and THAAD (comparable to Arrow 2), while the US Navy has the Aegis and the SM-3 (comparable to Arrow 3).
India.com
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Why are Iran's hypersonic missiles proving to be almost unstoppable by Israel's air defense systems, this is due to..., secret lies in...
New Delhi: The Israel Iran war has made the whole world understand the need for air defense. The Iron Dome air defense system saved Israel from attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. As long as attacks were being made by rockets and normal missiles, not a single projectile caused damage inside Israel. But as soon as the number of attacks by hypersonic and ballistic missiles increased in these attacks, the Israeli Iron Dome, Arrow and other systems are having to work hard. For the first time in October last year, Iran fired around 200 ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Now the question arises whether any country has any answer to hypersonic missile attack or not. It is very difficult to track a hypersonic missile, which flies at its lowest speed of 5 Mach or 6174 kmh in the atmosphere, and then launch an air defense missile against it. Iran's hypersonic missiles caused massive destruction at many places in Israel. Hypersonic missile is one of the most the most lethal weapons in today's era because it is very difficult to detect it and then engage it. The slowest hypersonic missile is of 5 Mach, which if we try to understand in kilometers, it can cover a distance of about 6173 kilometers in an hour. The aerial distance between Israel and Iran is close to 2000 kilometers. It travels 5 times faster than the speed of sound and the maximum speed can be up to 10 Mach. A faster high-hypersonic interceptor missile whose speed is around 10 to 25 Mach or a hypersonic air defence system is required to intercept a hypersonic missile. Currently, no country in the world has such an interceptor. Ballistic missiles are of different ranges. After launch, it reaches space and then according to the parabolic principle of physics, it enters the atmosphere and rains down on its target. When it comes down from space, its speed is 25 Mach or 30870 kmh which is high hypersonic speed. It is almost impossible to stop them. When a ballistic missile comes down, it falls down due to the effect of gravity. At this time, none of its rocket motor engines are in action to manoeuvre it. Currently, Israel has systems to stop only the ballistic missiles which are very effective against short range rockets, drones and missiles. For short and medium range ballistic and cruise missiles, it has anti-ballistic interceptors like David's Sling, Arrow-2 and Arrow-3. Apart from this, last year America has given them Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System.
