In recent attacks on Israel, Iran has employed a strategy aimed at overwhelming the country’s sophisticated defenses with inexpensive drones. The goal is to increase the chances of its more advanced ballistic missiles hitting their intended targets. This tactic is not new, as it has been used in other conflicts, such as in Ukraine, where drones have been combined with cruise and ballistic missiles to overwhelm air defenses.
A visit to an Israeli Iron Dome battery revealed a system consisting of interconnected launchers loaded with multiple missiles capable of intercepting incoming drones or missiles in mid-air. However, defense analyst Justin Crump believes that this strategy may not be successful. Israel is not Ukraine, and support from US and potentially UK aircraft could help thwart attacks. Additionally, the Israeli Air Force is highly skilled, and Israel has multiple anti-missile systems that may be difficult to overwhelm.
The success of this unprecedented attack on Israel’s air defenses and the resulting damage will likely determine the scale of any Israeli retaliation. While Iran may believe that quantity is necessary to evade these systems, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will ultimately prove successful.