Israel's Multi-Layered Defense: Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow-2/3 Shield Iran's Missile and Drone Threats

Israel successfully used a multi-layered defense system to thwart an Iranian attack involving drones and missiles.

The defense system includes short-range Iron Dome and long-range Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 missiles.

Israel has been enhancing its air defenses since the 1991 Gulf War.

The long-range Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 system, developed with an Iranian missile threat in mind, intercepts ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere using a detachable warhead that collides with the missile.

Israel's military used the Arrow aerial defense system for the first time on October 31, intercepting a missile fired from the Red Sea towards Israeli territory.

The Arrow system is led by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries with Boeing producing the interceptors.

Germany signed a commitment letter on September 28 to buy the Arrow-3 missile defense system for approximately 4 billion euros.

Additionally, the mid-range David's Sling system, developed jointly by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the U.S. Raytheon Co, is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles and intercept aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles with a range of 100 km to 200 km.

The Iron Dome is a short-range air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with U.S. backing, which became operational in Israel in 2011.

It was designed to intercept rockets fired by Hamas in Gaza.