How does Israel's Iron Dome work?

Over the weekend, attacks by Hamas against Israel from the Gaza Strip have brought the Iron Dome back into the spotlight. Known also as Iron Dome, this system forms part of Israel's anti-aircraft defence. Since its introduction in 2011, it has turned into a crucial element in protecting cities from various kinds of threats.

People have seen the most striking images of the Iron Dome in operation corresponding to the interception of rockets and mortars. However, they do not limit themselves to them. Designers intended the batteries that constitute it to respond to artillery attacks with 155-millimeter projectiles, drones, and other aerial vehicles.

They have also developed the Iron Dome to counter precision-guided munitions attacks. Similarly, they assert that it can even "shoot down" cruise missiles.

People consider Israel's Iron Dome as one of the most successful anti-aircraft systems in the world, boasting a 90% effectiveness rate. However, the recent events, including the reported launching of over 3,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip, have reignited the discussion about its susceptibility to mass or saturation attacks

This is how Israel's Iron Dome works

Hezbollah's repeated rocket attacks from Lebanon in the 1990s sparked Israel's idea of developing its own anti-aircraft system. The project didn't truly shape until the first half of the 2000s, but the decision to move forward with the initiative didn't happen until after the 2006 armed conflict.

In 2007, the Defense Ministry of Israel announced that they were developing the Iron Dome, with an initial funding of $210 million. Between 2011 and 2021, the United States, as the main economic contributor, allocated around 1.6 billion dollars to its creation.

Currently, a dozen anti-aircraft batteries make up the Iron Dome, distributed throughout Israeli territory. Each battery possesses a radar, a control center, and a launch system. Usually, the latter comprises 3 or 4 launchers, each equipped with 20 missiles.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems was primarily responsible for developing the Iron Dome in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the R&D sector of the Israel Defense Forces.

In any case, we know that designers created the Iron Dome to neutralize attacks made from 4 to 70 kilometers away. Additionally, it operates at all times and under any type of weather condition. They estimate that each battery may protect an area of approximately 150 square kilometers. The system's main objective is to shield Israeli cities from potential impacts of rockets, artillery shells or any other airborne threats.

The costs of the Iron Dome

Despite its high effectiveness in protecting Israeli cities from air attacks from Lebanon or the Gaza Strip, the development of the Iron Dome has not been free of controversy due to its costs. According to Time in 2013, each battery cost approximately $50 million. While in 2020, The National Interest estimated that each intercept launch cost between $100,000 and $150,000.

Most critics argue that Iron Dome uses most of its rockets to counteract the cheaply manufactured ones that attack Israel. This not only raises concern about the amount of weapons that Hamas or Hezbollah might possess but also prompts questions about the economic sustainability of the anti-aircraft system over time. These questions particularly increase especially if the United States ever decides to stop financing it.

Israel receives $3.8 billion annually from the US government as part of a defense aid package stipulated by law. However, in 2022 there was extensive debate in the House of Representatives over whether to send an additional $1 billion exclusively to Iron Dome. The contribution was finally approved, but it caused several months of delay.

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