The air defense system Hetz-Arrowdeveloped by Israelplayed a crucial role in protecting Israeli airspace during the regime’s unprecedented attack Iran carried out in the early hours of this Sunday, which included the launch of hundreds of drones, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles.
He Hetz-Arrow It is part of the multi-layered defense shield of Israeldesigned to face different threats, from short-range rockets to intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The system Arrow (Hetz in Hebrew, meaning arrow), includes several versions, the Arrow 2 and the Arrow 3 the most advanced in operation.
While the Arrow 2 It is designed to intercept missiles within the Earth’s atmosphere, the Arrow 3 can hit targets outside of it, allowing it destroy enemy missiles at a long distancethus reducing the risk of debris or collateral damage on populated areas.
One of its main functions is to neutralize nuclear, chemical or biological warheads in spacebefore they enter the atmosphere, minimizing the risk of contamination.
To do this, it uses a kinetic impact vehicle, which separates from the main missile and heads towards the target with precision to hit it directly. It also operates in conjunction with other Israeli defense systems such as the Iron Dome and the Honda Davidas well as with defense systems of other nations.
This technology is the result of a joint effort between Washington and Tel Avivwith the Israeli company Aerospace Industries (IAI) leading its development in collaboration with the American company Boeing.
The development of the program Hetz began as a response to growing missile threats in the region, and has evolved significantly over the years.
He Arrow 3 uses advanced radars to detect and track incoming missiles. These radars can identify threats at long distances and at high altitudes.
Once the enemy missile is detected, the Arrow-3 is launched. It can reach the exosphere, which is the upper layer of the atmosphere located at more than 500 kilometers in altitude.
When the propulsion tanks of the Arrow-3 They come into action, propelling it at high speed towards its objective.
Reaching height above the atmosphere, it detaches itself from its warheads and then tracks its targets to shoot them down.
The recent attack of Iran against Israel tested the effectiveness of the system Hetz-Arrow. According to reports from Israeli Ministry of Defenseseveral ballistic missiles were launched from Iranian territory, triggering an immediate response from the Israeli air defense system.
The Persian regime fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles, according to rear admiral Daniel Hagariwho assessed the response as an Israeli as “a strategic success”.
Hagari He stated that “the vast majority of the missiles were intercepted” and that some “caused minor damage to a military base in the south of the country.” The spokesperson reported that a girl had been injured, but he hopes that she will recover favorably.
“The Iranian attack was thwarted,” said the Israeli military spokesman in a television message in which he specified that 99% of the weapons launched by the Persian regime were intercepted. “Together with our partners, the Israel Defense Forces are operating with full force to defend the State of Israel and to the people of Israel. This is a mission that we are determined and willing to fulfill,” he assured.
He Hetz-Arrow It is a pillar of the national security doctrine of Israel since it ensures a certain technological deterrence, complicating the calculations of adversaries who could consider an attack against their territory.
He Arrow 3 It was activated this Sunday to intercept enemy missiles, marking one of the few cases in which this system has been used in a real combat scenario. The tension between Israel and Iran has escalated in recent years, with Tel Aviv accusing Tehran of seeking the destruction of the Jewish State and supporting terrorist groups in the region.
President Joe Biden indicated this Saturday that US forces helped shoot down “almost all” of the drones and missiles fired by Iran against Israeland reaffirmed his “ironclad” commitment to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Biden announced in a statement that he would convene the leaders of the G7 – the group of the richest nations – to coordinate a “united diplomatic response” to the “brazen” attack by Iran. “Iran – and its proxies operating from Yemen, Syria and Iraq– launched an unprecedented airstrike against military installations in Israel. “I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” he said. Biden.
The president in recent days ordered the sending of US military aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the Middle East, as the Iranian threat against Israela key ally of his country.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
