Click to see full-size image. (Israeli Ministry of Defense)
Israel’s Iron Dome short-range air defense system has been upgraded following an “extensive series of tests,” the Israeli Defense Ministry announced on June 30.
In a statement, the ministry said that the tests — carried out by the ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) and the Rafael defense firm — were conducted against a “range of advanced threats, while incorporating operational lessons learned during the war and operations against Iran.”
During the tests, “several upgrades introduced to the system were tested to further improve its ability to deal with scenarios simulating existing and future threats, including rockets, cruise missiles, and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles),” the ministry added.
The Iron Dome was developed mainly to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and shells. The system has a maximum range of 70 kilometers.
Additionally, the ministry said that the high-powered laser interception system Iron Beam was tested alongside the Iron Dome in “joint operation scenarios,” from the Iron Dome’s command center.
The Iron Beam was developed as a complementary system to Iron Dome. The base version of the system is reported to have a range up to ten kilometers.
“The new capabilities demonstrated in the tests constitute a significant step in improving the ability to contend with a wide range of attack scenarios and are another component of the Defense Ministry’s strategy to enhance readiness for an intensive security decade while preserving the IDF’s qualitative and strategic advantage in defense and offense in future conflicts,” the ministry added.
In video footage released by the ministry, the Iron Dome is seen intercepting a salvo of 122 mm rockets and several smaller 107 mm rockets, in addition to a number of drones. Meanwhile, the Iron Beam is seen targeting only drones.
The Iron Dome has been in service with the Israeli military since 2011. Since then, its effectiveness has been questioned on more than one occasion, most recently during the war on Iran. On the other hand, the Iron beam entered service only last year, and there is not much information about its performance.
It’s worth noting that Israel deployed both systems to the United Arab Emirates, along with troops to operate them, amid the war with Iran.
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