Israel is reportedly running low on its long-range Arrow interceptor missiles, a development that could weaken its ability to counter ballistic threats from Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing an unnamed U.S. official.
The shortage, known to Washington for several months, has prompted the United States to reinforce Israeli defences by deploying additional systems across land, sea, and air. However, the Israeli military has not officially commented on issues related to its missile stockpile.
Israel’s missile defence is built on a three-tiered system designed to handle different ranges of threats. The Iron Dome, the first line of defence, protects urban centres from short-range rockets, using Tamir missiles to neutralize incoming projectiles within a range of 4 to 70 km.
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David’s Sling, developed jointly with the U.S., provides mid-tier coverage for threats ranging from 40 to 300 km. It uses advanced Stunner missiles guided by radar and electro-optical tracking to destroy more powerful, faster missiles that Iron Dome cannot intercept.
The Arrow system—comprising Arrow 2 and Arrow 3—is the backbone of Israel’s high-altitude defence, targeting medium- and long-range ballistic missiles, including those potentially launched from over 2,000 km away. Arrow 3, in particular, is designed for exo-atmospheric interceptions during a missile’s space-flight phase.