Senior figures in Israel’s defense industry expressed anger in conversations with Calcalist over what they described as attempts by Israeli officials to justify the postponement of a U.S. attack on Iran by citing alleged shortcomings in the readiness of the IDF’s air defense systems. One senior figure called the claims “nonsense and irresponsibility.”
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Rafael are the main manufacturers of the air defense systems operated by the Israeli Air Force. IAI produces the Arrow 3 interceptor missiles, designed to counter ballistic missiles such as those launched at Israel from Iran and Yemen, while Rafael manufactures the interceptors for the Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems.
“The claim that Israel’s air defense systems are not prepared to respond to missile barrages from Iran is false,” a senior member of the defense establishment told Calcalist. “From the outbreak of the war two years ago until now, no company has paused for even a moment. Everyone who needs to be producing is doing so, around the clock.”
Another senior security official told Calcalist on Sunday that “the current state of Israel’s air defense systems is very close to their condition on the eve of the 12-Day War last June. During that war, the air defense array operated successfully: out of more than 550 missiles launched at Israel from Iran, only about 40 reached Israeli territory. All the rest were intercepted.”
Over the weekend, CNN reported that Prime Minister Benjamin...
Senior figures in Israel’s defense industry expressed anger in conversations with Calcalist over what they described as attempts by Israeli officials to justify the postponement of a U.S. attack o...