Israel is facing a shortage of rocket and missile interceptors as its air defence apparatus feels the heat of yearlong war in Gaza and Lebanon, according to a report in FT. As the conflict with Iran escalates, Tel Aviv stares at a shortage which could potentially put the lives of 10 million Israelis at risk.
The report, citing experts and former military officials stated that if Iran was to launch an all-out war right now, Israel would be stretched thin in the air defence department.
“Israel’s munitions issue is serious. If Iran responds to an Israel attack, and Hezbollah joins in too, Israel’s air defences will be stretched,” Dana Stroul, an ex-US defence official was quoted as saying.
Currently, Israel employs a multi-layered air-defence system that includes the ever-reliable Iron Dome, used to shoot short-range missiles; David’s Sling, used to intercept medium-range missiles and the Arrow system, designed to handle long-range ballistic missiles.
When working in tandem, Israel’s air defence system is arguably the best in the world. However, the cost of employing such a sophisticated system runs irrationally high as well. With the enemies at the door and firing projectiles almost every day for a year, the supply chain has been unable to keep up, the report stated.
Since the October 7 attack last year, Gaza-based militant outfit, Hamas, has launched over 20,000 rockets and missiles. Meanwhile, Iran has unleashed two heavy missile attacks involving hundreds of ballistic missiles in April and October – pushing Israel to the very edge of its capabilities.
Despite the onslaught, ex-IDF general Assaf Orion believes that Israel has not been tested fully as Hezbollah is yet to unleash its full capability.
“It has only been firing at around a tenth of its estimated prewar launching capacity, a few hundred rockets a day instead of as many as 2,000,” said Orion.
