Israel’s air defense systems accounted for almost half of its total defense exports.
Israel reached a record defense export of nearly $15 billion last year while fighting in a multi-front war against Iran and its regional proxies. According to figures recently published by Israel’s Ministry of Defense, missiles, rockets, and air defense systems made up roughly half of these transactions, procured primarily by European countries. Following Hamas’ October 2023 invasion of Israel, the ministry said that local defense industries have “operated in emergency mode,” producing weapons and other military equipment at surging speeds in order to fulfill the needs of the nation in addition to the needs of foreign client states. Unsurprisingly, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, and Elbit Systems lead the way in Israel’s product output. From missiles and bombs to drones and armored vehicles, these top manufacturers pretty much cover all of the nation’s defense needs and more. Israel’s air defense systems accounted for almost half of its total defense exports alone, arguably representing the nation’s most sought-after technologies.
The Iron Dome
Perhaps the most recognizable tier in Israel’s layered air defense apparatus is the Iron Dome. Capable of thwarting the vast majority of projectiles launched into Israeli territory, the Iron Dome has single-handedly saved tens of thousands of civilian lives by intercepting enemy-launched rockets, drones, and missiles that otherwise would have struck civilian population centers. The Iron Dome was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with US support in the early 2010s to be able to intercept and take out short-range projectiles from a range of 2.5 to 90 miles. Once detected by the Iron Dome’s radar, a projectile’s threat level is evaluated based on speed, direction, and other specs. If deemed to be a threat, the Iron Dome’s operators continue to track the object by radar and can intercept it if required. The Iron Dome’s impressive features have US president Donald Trump hoping to fund an American counterpart at home dubbed the “Golden Dome.”
Arrow 2 & 3
The Arrow family of anti-ballistic missiles serves Israel’s tiered air defense strategy alongside the Iron Dome. While the latter is able to intercept and destroy the vast majority of projectiles launched by Iranian proxy groups at Israel, the Arrow was designed to be a more effective tool in combating ballistic missiles. Jointly funded and produced by Israel and the United States, Arrow represents the long-range layer in Israel’s air defense. Arrow 2 uses a two-stage, solid-propellant booster to reach speeds in excess of Mach 9.0 (times the speed of sound). Arrow 2’s successor, the Arrow 3, features even faster top speeds in addition to longer ranges and higher altitudes. The Arrow 3’s defense prowess has the attention of other nations. Germany is procuring this missile defense system for approximately $3.5 billion, demonstrating the export potential of the Arrow.
Israel’s homegrown weapons systems are truly unparalleled in the Middle East and beyond. Perhaps what makes the Jewish state’s defense capabilities stand out the most is that the vast majority have been combat-tested time and time again.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: Gal_Rotem / Shutterstock.com
