By Sufiyan Khan 
Israel’s Iron Dome Under Strain: Retired General Defends Air Defence Amid Iran Tensions
As Iran escalates missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory, the resilience of Israel’s Iron Dome is being tested like never before. With several cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, under threat, the world is closely watching how this famed defense system holds up against an increasing barrage of ballistic missiles.
Retired Israeli Brigadier General Amir Avivi, speaking to NDTV, acknowledged the pressure on Israel’s Iron Dome, but firmly stated that the country’s layered air defense strategy remains highly effective despite the strain.
Iranian Missile Attacks Challenge Israel’s Iron Dome Performance
For over a week, Israel’s Iron Dome has been intercepting hundreds of rockets launched by Iran. These attacks follow Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on multiple Iranian military and nuclear sites, including the controversial Arak heavy-water reactor. The back-and-forth assaults have left civilians fearful and military analysts scrutinizing Israel’s missile shield more closely than ever.
On June 19, an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, raising concerns about potential weaknesses in Israel’s Iron Dome. This has led to speculation that the system might be reaching its operational limits under sustained assault.
Retired General Stands by Israel’s Iron Dome Capabilities
General Avivi clarified that Israel’s Iron Dome is just one part of a sophisticated, multi-layered defense architecture. He explained that while the Iron Dome is responsible for intercepting short-range threats, systems like Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 handle longer-range ballistic missiles. “Ballistic missiles, especially those from far-off launch sites, are typically intercepted by the Arrow systems,” he said.
He emphasized that no air defense system is perfect, but Israel’s Iron Dome and its supporting systems have shown remarkable efficiency. According to Avivi, the Arrow 3 has demonstrated a success rate of over 90%, although he cautioned that achieving 100% interception is unrealistic in any real-world scenario.
Iran Targets Hospitals and Cities: Iron Dome Faces Real-World Test
One of the biggest shocks of this conflict was Iran’s strike on Soroka Hospital, which caused significant damage and injuries. While most patients had been evacuated, the event deeply rattled the Israeli public and further highlighted the high stakes for Israel’s Iron Dome in urban environments.
Iran has also launched over 450 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones since the conflict began. Though many were intercepted, some slipped through the defenses, hitting civilian areas and prompting renewed debate over the sustainability of Israel’s missile interception capabilities.
Strategic Responses and Iron Dome’s Role in the Broader Defense
Despite visible cracks in the defense, Israeli leadership remains confident. Avivi argued that Israel’s Iron Dome is doing exactly what it’s designed to do: neutralizing large volumes of incoming short-range projectiles. He emphasized that Israel’s defense success lies in its integrated approach, combining Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems to address various threat levels.
He also noted that Israeli forces have destroyed more than 40% of Iran’s launchers, reducing the threat of continued large-scale missile strikes. “Iran aimed to launch hundreds of missiles, but we’ve disrupted their capabilities substantially,” he said.
Is the Iron Dome Failing? Experts Say No, But Resources Are Limited
Some analysts warn that Israel’s Iron Dome may soon face challenges from interceptor shortages. Each Arrow 3 missile, for instance, can cost between $2 million and $3.5 million. With Israel reportedly having fired hundreds of these interceptors since October 2023, cost and stockpile availability are becoming concerns.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal suggest that Israel may be running low on these critical missiles. However, Israeli officials remain tight-lipped about the exact numbers. Most experts agree that Israel would not have launched such an extensive campaign without ensuring adequate reserves.
Advanced Iranian Missiles Pose New Challenges
A key concern is the advancement of Iran’s missile technology. Some of the latest missiles used have multiple warheads, making them harder for Israel’s Iron Dome and other systems to intercept. Despite this, Israeli military dominance has been significant, with claims of near-total air superiority over Iran and major blows to Tehran’s air defenses.
Military reports say Israel has knocked out nearly 120 Iranian air defense systems and killed top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. Even with Israel’s Iron Dome under pressure, Israel’s air dominance allows it to strike at will across Iran’s territory.
Conclusion: Israel’s Iron Dome Holds – But for How Long?
For now, Israel’s Iron Dome appears to be holding strong despite the intense pressure from Iranian missile strikes. The broader question is whether Israel can sustain this pace of defense in a protracted conflict. With potential U.S. involvement and continued Iranian retaliation, the effectiveness of Israel’s air defenses will remain in the global spotlight.
While some missiles have breached the defenses, experts like General Avivi insist that Israel’s Iron Dome remains a key asset in preserving national security. Its layered defense strategy, while not flawless, offers Israel a powerful shield — though one that comes with high costs and logistical challenges.
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Sibtain Rizvi