(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — For the first time, Hezbollah fighters have successfully destroyed an Israeli Iron Dome air defense system using the “Almas” anti-tank guided missile supplied by Iran.
Hezbollah’s ability to target the Iron Dome system is considered a significant achievement, as previous attempts involving rocket barrages and kamikaze drones had failed.
This marks the first clear demonstration by Hezbollah to the global community of their capacity to neutralize the Israeli defense infrastructure.
Hezbollah has released videos and images showcasing the third-generation anti-tank guided missile destroying an Iron Dome launcher at a military base in Ramot Naftali.
The “Almas” missile, equipped with a camera, captured its final moments before striking the Iron Dome system.
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the destruction of its air defense system at Ramot Naftali.
However, Israeli military analysts acknowledge that this is the first known instance where Hezbollah fighters have successfully neutralized an Iron Dome system.
Three days ago, Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed a radar component of the Iron Dome system located in the Golan Heights.
Recently, Hezbollah has intensified its attacks on Iron Dome positions, providing air defense for northern Israeli cities against Lebanese fighters’ rocket and drone assaults.
Interestingly, the “Almas” missile, which targeted the Iron Dome system in Ramot Naftali, is believed to be reverse-engineered from Israel’s “Spike” anti-tank guided missile.
Iran’s newly deployed “Almas” anti-tank guided missile system, reportedly a reverse-engineered version of the “Spike” missile originally developed by Israel, has been used to target the positions of its creator, the Israeli military.
According to reports, Hezbollah fighters captured “Spike” missiles during the 2006 conflict in southern Lebanon and handed them over to Iran.
Iranian weapons experts reverse-engineered the “Spike” system to develop the “Almas” missile system, which was unveiled by Iran in 2021.
This system includes variants that can be launched from personnel, aircraft, or vehicles.
Similar to the “Spike,” the “Almas” missile uses a fiber-optic wire for a “fire-observe-and-update” mode, allowing operators to guide the missile with high precision.
It also offers a “fire-and-forget” variant that requires the operator to lock on to the target and allow the missile to proceed independently.
The “Almas” missile has a range of up to 8 kilometers.
A recent video released by Hezbollah showcasing the first use of the “Almas” missile by their forces, displays the missile ascending for a period before diving to strike what is believed to be a dome housing an Israeli military radar.
Throughout its launch, the onboard camera recorded the missile’s flight to its target. — DSA