A new missile war of a completely different dimension is close, not far away from the Middle East, and the latest drone and missile attacks of Iran on Israel are the best proof of that trend. These escalated and more sophisticated attacks have not only tested to the maximum the capacity of the air defense systems of Israel but also have begun to uncover their weaknesses alongside their strengths.
Israel’s Multi-Layered Missile Defense
Israel’s air defense system is commonly referred to as a “layered shield,” one that intercepts threats at various ranges and altitudes. At the base of the system lies the Iron Dome, renowned for destroying short-range rockets and mortars. Iron Dome batteries are stationed throughout the country, each equipped with radar and interceptor missiles that determine if an incoming projectile poses a threat to populated areas—and eliminate it if so. Since being deployed in 2011, Iron Dome has intercepted thousands of rockets with a claimed success rate by Israeli officials of more than 90 percent.
Iron Dome is merely the first line. Against medium- and long-range threats, Israel relies on David’s Sling, which can engage missiles and drones at ranges of up to 300 kilometers. At the pinnacle of the pyramid are the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, which were constructed with strong assistance from the United States. Arrow 2 deals with short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in the upper atmosphere, while Arrow 3 can intercept beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. The U.S. has also joined in with its THAAD batteries, providing yet another level of defense.
During the last salvo, the entire defense system was engaged, assisted by U.S. Navy destroyers and coalition allies. Officials state that although most incoming missiles were downed, some did penetrate the defenses, resulting in damage to air bases and infrastructure within central and southern Israel.
The Iranian Barrage: Scale and Strategy
Iran’s assault was historic in both scale and purpose. Close to 200 ballistic missiles were fired in one night, the largest ever recorded missile attack on a state-nation in history. Cruise missiles and drones were also used, intended to overwhelm Israeli defenses through quantity and sophistication.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that the attack comprised Fattah hypersonic missiles, flying at Mach 13–15 speeds and equipped to avoid detection by radar. It is said that the targets of the attack were the military and intelligence establishments, like airfields engaged in recent Israeli campaigns. There was evidence of impacts close to Nevatim and Tel Nof air bases, as well as close to Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv, though damage was contained.
How Some Missiles Got Through
Despite Israel’s layered defenses, a few missiles reached their targets. This was not accidental; it was the result of careful tactics and technological advances. Saturation was a key strategy. Launching hundreds of missiles and drones in rapid succession was intended to exhaust Israel’s limited supply of interceptors. As defense analysts note, no system has unlimited resources, and once interceptor stocks are depleted, some threats inevitably get through.
Iran also used sophisticated missiles specifically designed to counter interception. Hypersonic missiles such as the Fattah travel too fast for traditional defenses to have time to respond, and glide vehicles can change course erratically. Low-flying cruise missiles, which changed course mid-air, further made tracking difficult. Decoys and radar-dampening technology made defenders expend interceptors on spoof targets and raised the likelihood that actual warheads would get through.
AI and Modern Missile Defense
Advanced missile defense is heavily dependent on technology and algorithms. Israel employs AI to compute radar and sensor information, rank threats, and determine the best interception points. This fusion has made Iron Dome and David’s Sling more efficient, particularly against sophisticated barrages that include drones and guided missiles. AI also assists in planning offense, target identification, and resource allocation. But automation is risky. Too much reliance on AI can result in blunders, particularly during the confusion of combat, and opposing forces’ advancing countermeasures keep the technological competition running full speed.
Lessons from the Battlefield
The recent attacks highlight a critical fact: there is no perfect missile defense system. Even when interception rates of over 90 percent are claimed, a handful of missiles can still cause disproportionate damage. As Israeli officials admit, it is impossible to have a perfect shield—particularly against a saturation attack in combination with sophisticated weapons.
The strategic lesson is unmistakable. Missile defense can preserve lives and offer precious response time, but it can never promise perfect security. Resolute adversaries will always be working on new tactics and technologies to penetrate even the best systems. As experts note, missile defense needs to be part of an overall strategy, including intelligence, diplomacy, and, when needed, offensive action.
The Iranian missile attack showed the wonderful things modern air defense can do and its built-in limitations. The lesson is clear to all military planners everywhere: technology can provide time and save lives, but cannot substitute for full strategy and preparation.