Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept two Iranian missiles that hit civilian neighborhoods in Dimona and Arad, injuring over 115 people, including 11 seriously. The incident has raised concerns about the system’s effectiveness and whether it may be running low on interceptors.
The Israeli military has not explained what went wrong, but officials say it could be due to technical issues, a policy requiring real-time decision-making, or depletion of interceptor supplies. The cost of an interceptor is estimated at $3 million for Arrow missiles, $700,000 for David’s Sling interceptors, and $50,000 to $70,000 for Iron Dome interceptors.
Despite the reduced capacity, Iran has continued to launch missiles, including a recent attempt that landed near Diego Garcia, 2,500 miles away from Israel. The incident highlights concerns about the range and capabilities of Iranian missiles and the need for Israel’s air defense system to adapt.
Experts say that the system is sophisticated but not perfect, with a high success rate of over 90% in the first 23 days of the war. However, the recent failure raises questions about its reliability and whether it can withstand future attacks.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/03/25/iran-missiles-israel-air-defense