Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
On the evening of April 13 and the morning of April 14, 2024, Iran and its proxies launched more than 300 air threats from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, en route to Israel. These threats included over 110 medium-range ballistic missiles, over 30 land attack cruise missiles, and 150 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). In response, U.S. forces in the Middle East, at the direction of the president and in support of Israel’s defense, intercepted dozens of these missiles and UAVs.
Interestingly, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, supported by the U.S. Navy destroyers USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney, currently assigned to the European Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack UAVs and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.
Pentagon press secretary, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder added, saying;
“…a ballistic missile on its launcher vehicle and seven UAVs were destroyed on the ground in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen before their launch.”
The successful interception of these threats can be attributed to the technological advantages of the U.S. defense systems. The U.S. and Israel’s defense systems are equipped with advanced technologies to counter air threats effectively. These systems include the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow missile defense systems.
The Iron Dome system is engineered to detect and neutralize short-range rockets and artillery projectiles launched from 4 to 70 kilometers away. Meanwhile, David’s Sling targets enemy aircraft, drones, tactical ballistic missiles, and medium to long-range rockets and cruise missiles. The Arrow system specializes in intercepting ballistic missiles.
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In the U.S., sophisticated defense mechanisms include the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The PAC-3, a surface-to-air missile system, stands out as a premier anti-ballistic missile solution utilized across multiple U.S. Army units. THAAD is designed to intercept and destroy short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase through a direct collision, known as a hit-to-kill approach. The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, a project of the U.S. Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency, is devised to counter short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
As emerging threats continue to pose challenges, the U.S. and its allies must continue to invest in research and development to enhance their defense capabilities and safeguard their national security. The successful interception of the Iranian missiles and drones serves as a testament to the effectiveness of the U.S. and Israel’s defense systems and their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region.
The UK and France were prepared to support Israel, reflecting a broader international posture against the escalation of hostilities in the region. It will be great to say that the AUKUS and France share similar interests in the Indo-Pacific. This incident raises questions about the evolving nature of international military engagements and the readiness of nations to deploy advanced technologies in conflict scenarios.
OLAWALE ABAIRE is a Warrior researcher, writer and analyst who has written many published nonfiction books
