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Graphic shows how Iron Dome works.
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MILITARY

Iron Dome verdedigingssysteem

By Duncan Mil

May 17, 2021 - Designed to intercept short-range rockets fired from up to 70km away, mortars, artillery shells, and drones, Iron Dome consists of a radar, control centre and launchers, and costs $50 million.

As fighting between Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, and Israel enters a second week, Hamas has launched more than 3,000 rockets on Israel, targeting cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and other towns.

But, according to the Israeli military, at least 1,000 of the Palestinian rockets have been intercepted by the Iron Dome, a system developed for the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) by state-owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. The Palestinian rockets have killed ten Israelis, including two children. The toll in the Palestinian enclave reached 192 people -- including 58 children -- on Sunday (May 16), with 1,235 Palestinians wounded.

Currently, there are Iron Dome batteries deployed at ten sites in Israel, with three to four launchers that can each fire 20 interceptors, giving the system the ability to launch up to 800 missiles at incoming rockets without counting reloads.

Built with financial aid from the U.S., one unit of Iron Dome is priced at over $50 million. The cost to construct each Tamir interceptor missile is around $80,000, whereas a Palestinian Qassam rocket costs less than $1,000.

Iron Dome has intercepted more than 2,500 rockets in the decade since it was deployed, at an estimated cost of some $200 million. Given that Hamas and Hezbollah have over a hundred thousand artillery rockets aimed at Israel, the price of defence against Iranian-backed militants could skyrocket.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 17/05/2021; STORY: Graphic News
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