Israel deploys multi-layered missile defence umbrella against Iranian threat

Key facts

• Israel’s long-range Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors engage targets inside and outside the atmosphere and are developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) with Boeing producing the interceptors.
• David's Sling mid-range system, developed jointly by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and RTX Corp, intercepts ballistic missiles fired from 100–200 km as well as aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.
• Short-range Iron Dome, operational since 2011, uses radar-guided missiles to destroy rockets, mortars and drones in mid-air and determines whether a rocket will hit a populated area before engaging.
• A naval version of Iron Dome was deployed in 2017 to protect ships and sea-based assets.
• Ground-based high-power laser system Iron Beam, developed for over a decade and declared fully operational in late 2025, intercepts UAVs and mortars at lower cost than missile-based interceptors.
• United States (US) military deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to Israel in October 2024 to intercept short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase.
• US ground-based systems and a US Navy destroyer in the Eastern Mediterranean helped shoot down Iranian missiles fired at Israel in June 2025.
• Israeli combat helicopters and fighter jets have fired air-to-air missiles to destroy drones heading toward Israel.