Combat-proven: Israeli Arrow anti-ballistic missile system makes operational debut

The Israeli Air Force intercepted a ballistic missile from Yemen over the Red Sea using its Arrow air and ballistic missile defense system.

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According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) early warning systems detected and tracked the trajectory of an intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from Yemen towards the southern Israeli city of Eilat.

חיל האוויר סיכל איום אווירי במרחב ים סוף; לראשונה מתחילת המלחמה – יירוט מבצעי של מערכת ההגנה לטווח רחוק ״חץ״.

טיל קרקע קרקע ששוגר לשטח מדינת ישראל ממרחב ים סוף זוהה מוקדם יותר היום. מערכות הגילוי של חיל האוויר עקבו אחר… להמשך: https://t.co/IYPTj2lkyZ

צילום ארכיון: מערכת החץ. pic.twitter.com/KdVQR5aAOL

— משרד הביטחון (@MoDIsrael) October 31, 2023

The target was successfully intercepted by the Arrow 2 long-range defense system at the «most appropriate operational time and place» before entering Israeli territory, presumably over the Red Sea.

See also: Germany signs Arrow anti-missile shield purchase agreement with Israel

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Likewise, IAF fighter jets were launched in the morning following an airborne threat detected in the Red Sea area and intercepted hostile targets flying in the zone. These were apparently drones and/or cruise missiles launched by the Yemeni Houthis. All threats were intercepted outside the territory of the State of Israel. No intrusion into Israeli territory was detected.

מערכות הגילוי של חיל האוויר עקבו אחר מסלול הטיל והוא יורט בזמן ובמיקום המבצעי המתאימים ביותר.

כמו כן, מטוסי צה»ל הוזנקו בשעות הבוקר בעקבות איום אווירי שזוהה במרחב ים סוף ויירטו מטרות עוינות שטסו במרחב.

כלל האיומים יורטו מחוץ לשטח מדינת ישראל. לא זוהתה חדירה לשטח ישראל.

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 31, 2023

The Netanyahu government is reportedly discussing possible offensive actions against Yemen for attacks launched in support of Hamas and in retaliation for the Israeli Army forces’ ground invasion of Gaza.

Arrow missile defense shield

The «Arrow» weapon system was jointly developed by Israel and the U.S. for the upper cover of the multilayer anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense system. IAI is the prime contractor for the development and production of the system. Also involved in the development are the Elta Division and the companies Tomer, Rafael and Elbit Systems.

The Arrow 2 interceptor is part of the Arrow Weapon System (AWS), which is the world’s first operational, self-contained ATBM (anti-tactical ballistic missile) defense system. Based on the uniquely effective Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors, the modular Arrow air defense system detects, tracks, intercepts and destroys tactical ballistic missiles (TBM) carrying a wide range of warheads over a large area, protecting strategic assets and population centers.

This air defense system is designed to intercept and destroy incoming TBMs detected and tracked by the ELM-2080 Green Pine radar system. The Arrow 2 interceptor is designed to operate in the atmosphere and in space (endo- and exoatmospheric capabilities).