Jerusalem:
Israel's Iron Dome air defense system has intercepted thousands of missiles since it went into service in 2011, providing the country with crucial cover in times of conflict.
It is heavily relied upon to protect military and civilian sites from frequent barrages of rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Israel's air defenses were in action on Tuesday evening as Iran fired missiles into Israel, in what it said was a response to Israel's killing of Tehran-backed militant leaders.
Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday that the Iranian barrage had been partly weakened by “a very strong air defense force”.
The system had also intercepted more than 200 drones and missiles launched by Iran on April 13.
Israel initially developed the Iron Dome alone after the 2006 Lebanon War and was later joined by the United States, which provided its defense expertise and billions of dollars in financial support for the program.
According to Israeli defense company Rafael, which helped design the system, the system has an interception rate of about 90 percent.
This is how it works:
Three-part system
The Iron Dome is part of Israel's multi-layered missile defense system and is designed to intercept short-range missiles at a range of up to 70 kilometers (43 miles).
Each Iron Dome battery consists of three main sections: a radar detection system, a computer to calculate the trajectory of the incoming missile, and a launcher that fires interceptors if the missile is deemed likely to hit a built-up or strategic area.
It sits alongside other missile defense systems such as the Arrow, which counters ballistic missiles, and David's Sling, for medium-range missile attacks.
How much does it cost?
According to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, each Iron Dome interceptor costs between $40,000 and $50,000 to produce.
The think tank estimated that producing a complete system, including the radar, computer and three to four launchers – each with up to 20 interceptors – would cost about $100 million.
According to Raytheon, Israel has ten such systems in use, which are helping to manufacture the Iron Dome. Other estimates put the figure slightly higher.
Bipartisan American support
The Iron Dome is one of the strategic pillars of the US-Israeli alliance pursued by successive Democratic and Republican administrations.
In August 2019, the US Army signed a contract to purchase two Iron Dome batteries to enhance its own short-range missile defense capabilities.
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