The Israeli military reported the interception of a missile launched from Yemen early on Thursday, preventing it from entering Israeli airspace. Residents of Jerusalem heard air raid sirens and explosions from interceptors, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Houthis claimed responsibility for firing a ballistic missile aimed at Israel’s international airport, marking the second such incident since the onset of renewed US airstrikes against the group earlier in the week.
Israel has built a sophisticated defence system that effectively detects incoming threats, engaging only when the projectile is projected to hit populated areas or critical infrastructure. While Israeli officials acknowledge that the defence system is not infallible, they assert that it has been instrumental in averting significant damage and casualties over the years.
Israel’s multi-tiered air defences include several systems developed in cooperation with the US. The Arrow missile defence system operates outside the Earth’s atmosphere and is designed to counter long-range missiles, successfully intercepting threats from the Houthis and Iran during previous conflicts. David’s Sling targets medium-range missiles, specifically those wielded by Hezbollah in Lebanon, and has been deployed multiple times throughout various conflicts.
The Iron Dome, another key component of Israel’s defence arsenal, is specifically engineered to combat short-range rockets. Since its activation, it has intercepted thousands of projectiles launched by groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, boasting an impressive success rate exceeding 90 per cent.
Currently, Israel is advancing the development of an innovative system leveraging laser technology, which promises to revolutionise missile interception by significantly reducing operational costs. Reports indicate that an interception by the Iron Dome costs Israel around $50,000 (approximately AUD 80,000), while other systems can exceed USD 3.15 million per missile. The introduction of laser technology could thus represent a pivotal shift in the country’s defence strategy, potentially enhancing its military capabilities against aerial threats further.