All articles tagged with #air defense system
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te is expected to announce a new advanced 'all-domain' air defense system called 'Taiwan Dome' during his national day speech, aimed at strengthening Taiwan's defense against China's increasing military pressure, amid ongoing tensions and China's military exercises around the island.
Israel's multilayered air-defense system, including the Arrow, David's Sling, Patriot, Iron Dome, and the upcoming Iron Beam, faces a significant test as it copes with incoming attacks from Iranian drones and ballistic missiles, in addition to ongoing rocket, drone, and missile threats from groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The systems, developed with U.S. support, have been utilized to intercept various types of threats, with the Iron Dome boasting a success rate of over 90% in shooting down short-range rockets.
Israel successfully intercepted a long-range ballistic missile over the Red Sea region using the Arrow 3 air defense system, marking the first operational success since its introduction in 2017. The missile was launched from Yemen by the Houthis, who sought to distract Israel from its war efforts in Gaza. The Arrow 3 system is a joint development between Israel and the US, and Israel recently announced a $3.5 billion deal to sell the system to Germany.
US intelligence officials are concerned that the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group could provide Hezbollah with the SA-22 air defense system, as the Lebanon-based terror group continues to threaten Israel. The SA-22, also known as the Pantsir, is capable of taking down aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. Israel has been conducting airstrikes in Syria to prevent advanced weapons from reaching Hezbollah, and recent alleged Israeli airstrikes have targeted Syria's airports. Russia has condemned these airstrikes and warned against escalating the conflict. Wagner and Hezbollah fighters both have a presence in Syria, where they were deployed to support Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Ukraine reportedly damaged one of Russia's prized S-400 Triumph air-defense systems in a drone attack near Belgorod, Russia. This marks the first time Ukrainian forces have targeted an S-400 system on Russian soil. The extent of the damage is unclear, but reports suggest that the radar of the system was affected. This comes after Ukraine destroyed a similar system in occupied Crimea last month.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched an attack on a Syrian anti-aircraft battery inside Syrian territory in response to an anti-aircraft missile that was launched from the air defense system and exploded over Israeli airspace. The IAF had allegedly carried out airstrikes near Homs prior to the missile launch. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the attack on the anti-aircraft battery and stated that they also targeted additional sites in the area. There were no reported injuries, but shrapnel from the missile landed in the southern city of Rahat. The IDF did not address reports of Israeli strikes near Homs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv has not lost any ground in its counteroffensive to reclaim territories occupied by Russia. Meanwhile, the UN has pledged to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has warned that Ukraine is planning to attack Moscow-controlled Crimea with HIMARS long-range artillery systems and Storm Shadow missiles. France and Italy have supplied Ukraine with the Samp/T air defense system to defend against aircraft and missiles.
Germany's Bundestag budget committee has approved spending €560 million to start procuring Israel's Arrow-3 air defense system, marking a significant upgrade in the strategic relationship between the two countries. The overall deal is estimated to be around €4 billion ($4.3 billion) in total cost, with today’s budget decision being characterized as an advance payment. The Arrow-3 is the top tier of Israel’s multi-layered air defense system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles and other long-range threats.
Germany's parliament has approved an advance payment of €560m ($607m) for Israel's Arrow-3 air defence system, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside of the Earth's atmosphere. The deal is worth almost €4bn ($4.3bn) and will be funded by a €100bn ($108bn) fund unveiled by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to bolster the country's defences in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Arrow-3 system is expected to offer protective cover to Germany's neighbouring European Union states.
Germany's budget committee has approved the purchase of the Israel-made Arrow-3 air defense system for €560 million and the German-made IRIS-T-SLM air defense system for around €950 million. The Arrow-3 system, which intercepts ballistic missiles, is expected to cost Germany €4 billion in total. The system has been in use in Israel since 2017 as part of its Iron Dome protection network. The purchase is part of Germany's effort to modernize its military under a €100 billion fund approved by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the German parliament last year.
Estonia and Latvia are in negotiations to purchase the medium-range IRIS-T SLM defense system from German manufacturer Diehl Defence. The system is designed to protect against air attacks and has an operational range of 40 kilometers. The purchase would cost hundreds of millions of euros and could become operational in 2025.
Ukraine used the American Patriot air-defense system to intercept a Russian Kinzhal missile, one of Russia's most advanced weapons, for the first time during an attack launched by Moscow on Thursday night. The Kinzhal missile is difficult to intercept because it travels at 10 times the speed of sound and has a range of 2,000 kilometers. Germany and the Netherlands have also provided this air defense system to Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers have been trained on how to use the systems to lock onto a target on radar and fire at it.
Ukraine claims to have shot down a Russian hypersonic missile, the Kinzhal, over Kyiv using a newly acquired US Patriot defense system. The Kinzhal missile is one of Russia's most advanced weapons, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads and flying at 10 times the speed of sound. The Ukrainian Air Force Commander said it was the first time Ukraine had used the Patriot missile defense system. The Patriot system is one of the sophisticated air defense units supplied by the West to help Ukraine repel a months-long Russian campaign of air raids.
The death toll from Russian missile attacks on cities across Ukraine has risen to 26, including five children. Five EU countries have agreed on a deal to allow the transit of Ukrainian food exports. A leaked internal review commissioned by Amnesty International is said to have concluded there were significant shortcomings in a controversial report prepared by the rights group that accused Ukraine of illegally endangering citizens by placing armed forces in civilian areas. Ukraine’s forces are concluding their preparations for a long-expected spring counteroffensive against invading Russian troops. President Vladimir Putin has said Russia needs to act quickly and as a “cohesive team” to counter the west’s “economic aggression”.
Israel and Germany are in advanced negotiations for the sale of the Arrow 3 air defense system, jointly developed by Israel and the US. The deal is contingent on US approval. The Arrow 3 is part of Israel's multilayered air defense architecture and provides the upper tier for intercepting and countering exo-atmospheric ballistic missiles. The announcement follows the sale of David's Sling to Finland and Israel's recent sale of Spike missiles to Greece.