According to information published by "The Jerusalem Post" on June 7, 2022, Ukraine has requested Israel the purchase of Iron Dome counter artillery air defense missile systems and also requested receive approval for the transfer of the Israeli-made Spike anti-tank missile from Germany to Ukraine.
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Iron Dome is designed to counter artillery shells and rockets using surface-to-air missile Tamir manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael. (Picture source Rafael)
The Iron Dome is a mobile all-weather air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. The system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) to 70 kilometers (43 mi) away and whose trajectory would take them to an Israeli populated area.
Last week, Israel informed Ukraine that it did not want to give the green light for the transfer of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. Israel wants to keep its neutrality regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and for now, does not want to provide military aid in order to maintain a good political relationship with Ukraine and Russia.
Citing information from Israel, the Iron Dome is not seen as a weapon but as a means that can save lives in a defensive setting.
The Iron Dome is in service with the Israeli armed forces since 2011 and successfully intercepted thousands of rockets. Citing Israeli military sources, the Iron Dome has achieved over a 90% success rate. The system has saved lives and prevented damage to property.
An Iron Dome battery consists of three main components including three to four launcher stations, each carrying 20 missile launcher containers for the Tamir missile featuring electro-optical sensors and steering fins with proximity fuze blast warheads, one detection and tracking radar, and one battle management and weapon control. Each Iron Dome components are carried on an 8x8 cargo military truck.
The Iron Dome launcher station can fire the Tamir missile which is equipped with a special warhead that detonates the target warhead in the air. If the estimated trajectory of the airborne threat is headed towards the defended zone, a command is given and a missile is launched against the threat. Iron Dome is highly mobile and can be configured to defend an urban area, a Forward Operating Base (FOB), or troops on the move.
The Iron Dome can be integrated onto most Off-The-Shelf vehicles and is roll-on-roll transportable on most transport aircraft.
