What is the Israeli Iron Dome defence system and what is its success rate?

Israel's Iron Dome defence system has been responsible for defending the nation against drone and missile attacks since 2011 and carries a reported 90% success rate.

But what is this protective shield that can protect an entire nation from so many attacks?

The Iron Dome, created by the state-owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with US backing, is used to destroy rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) threats, aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, PGMs, and cruise missiles.

On 13 April 2024, the system was used to counter a drone and missile attack launched by Iran against Israel. 

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The Iron Dome systems have reportedly been responsible for more than 2,500 threats being intercepted, resulting in a 90% success rate since 2011.

Deployable and operational in all weather conditions, the Iron Dome is made of three components at any time of day.

Detect

The Iron Dome radar detects and tracks incoming threats such as missiles and, according to its manufacturer Raytheon, is effective over distances of 2.5 to 43.5 miles (four to 70km).

Once identified the incoming object is determined to be a threat or a non-threat.

Sometimes due to the speed of incoming missiles, the defence system has only one minute to respond and repel the attack.  

Decide

The second component of the air defence system is the battle control centre which will determine if the incoming object is hostile.

Using continually updating radar information a decision can be made if the object should be fired upon.

It also decides how many missiles should be launched to counter the threat.

Disable

The most important aspect of the Iron Dome operating system is the interception and destruction of the threat.

The Iron Dome system fires supersonic missiles with heat-seeking sensors, allowing it to seek out the incoming missile.  

The interceptor uses a proximity fuse activated by a small radar to explode close to the incoming missile so that it does not have to hit it directly to disable it.

Since its creation, the Iron Dome has been backed and funded by Western nations including the US.

Reportedly, missiles fired by Hamas can cost as much as $600 (£482) each, making them significantly less expensive than the Iron Dome interceptors.

The estimated cost of interceptors for Israel is $48m (£38.5m).