iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that attacked its nuclear facilities and top military personnel. While many of the hundreds of projectiles that were shot against Israeli territory were intercepted, several of them nevertheless managed to strike strategic locations, such as central Tel Aviv, resulting in fatalities and significant damage.
With over 3,000 missiles ready for use, iran now possesses the greatest missile arsenal in the Middle East, according to US authorities. In about 12 to 15 minutes, some of these weapons may reach Israel.
Why should israel stay vigilant in light of Iran's missile capabilities?
Iran has developed one of the most sophisticated missile programs in the region over the last thirty years. Its arsenal consists of a variety of ballistic and cruise missiles with varying ranges and speeds.
What is the range of Iranian missiles?
Ballistic missiles are categorized according to their range:
• Battlefield Range Ballistic Missile (BRBM): Under 200 kilometers
• Up to 1,000 kilometers for SRBMs (short-range ballistic missiles)
• Medium to Intermediate Range (MRBM/IRBM): 1,000–3,500 km
• Long-Range (LRBM): 3,500–5,500 km
• Intercontinental (ICBM): Over 5,500 km
Given that israel and iran are 1,300–1,500 kilometers apart, medium-range missiles can travel this distance with ease.
What is the speed of Iranian missiles?
Mach 1 is equivalent to the speed of sound, which is approximately 1,225 km/h (761 mph), and is used to measure missile speed.
• Usually having a shorter range, supersonic missiles go faster than Mach 1.
• Long-range, hypersonic missiles: surpass Mach 5 (6,125 km/h or 3,806 mph)
Why is it difficult to intercept ballistic missiles?
Air defense systems face significant challenges from ballistic missiles because of their:
• High velocity: Many systems cannot react in time because they fly too quickly.
• High trajectory: They leave the atmosphere after launch and reenter it at extremely high speeds.
• Countermeasures: Some people employ decoys to trick missile and radar defenses.
They are particularly deadly and challenging to intercept due to all these qualities.
Drones and cruise missiles: Slower but more difficult to spot
During this fight, iran has also launched drones and cruise missiles.
• Cruise missiles operate more like unmanned aircraft at lower altitudes.
• They can reverse course mid-flight and are more difficult to detect than ballistic missiles, although moving more slowly.
• It could take two hours for a cruise missile to go from iran to Israel.
• Drones can take up to nine hours to reach Israeli targets, making them even slower.
With over 3,000 missiles ready for use, iran now possesses the greatest missile arsenal in the Middle East, according to US authorities. In about 12 to 15 minutes, some of these weapons may reach Israel.
Why should israel stay vigilant in light of Iran's missile capabilities?
Iran has developed one of the most sophisticated missile programs in the region over the last thirty years. Its arsenal consists of a variety of ballistic and cruise missiles with varying ranges and speeds.
What is the range of Iranian missiles?
Ballistic missiles are categorized according to their range:
• Battlefield Range Ballistic Missile (BRBM): Under 200 kilometers
• Up to 1,000 kilometers for SRBMs (short-range ballistic missiles)
• Medium to Intermediate Range (MRBM/IRBM): 1,000–3,500 km
• Long-Range (LRBM): 3,500–5,500 km
• Intercontinental (ICBM): Over 5,500 km
Given that israel and iran are 1,300–1,500 kilometers apart, medium-range missiles can travel this distance with ease.
What is the speed of Iranian missiles?
Mach 1 is equivalent to the speed of sound, which is approximately 1,225 km/h (761 mph), and is used to measure missile speed.
• Usually having a shorter range, supersonic missiles go faster than Mach 1.
• Long-range, hypersonic missiles: surpass Mach 5 (6,125 km/h or 3,806 mph)
Why is it difficult to intercept ballistic missiles?
Air defense systems face significant challenges from ballistic missiles because of their:
• High velocity: Many systems cannot react in time because they fly too quickly.
• High trajectory: They leave the atmosphere after launch and reenter it at extremely high speeds.
• Countermeasures: Some people employ decoys to trick missile and radar defenses.
They are particularly deadly and challenging to intercept due to all these qualities.
Drones and cruise missiles: Slower but more difficult to spot
During this fight, iran has also launched drones and cruise missiles.
• Cruise missiles operate more like unmanned aircraft at lower altitudes.
• They can reverse course mid-flight and are more difficult to detect than ballistic missiles, although moving more slowly.
• It could take two hours for a cruise missile to go from iran to Israel.
• Drones can take up to nine hours to reach Israeli targets, making them even slower.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel