U.S. Officials Concerned Israel’s “Iron Dome” May Be Overwhelmed by Hezbollah Rocket Attacks

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The United States has expressed concerns about the ability of Israel’s “Iron Dome” air defense system to handle Hezbollah’s missile attacks and suicide drones if a large-scale war were to break out between them, as anticipated by many observers.

According to a report by the U.S. television network CNN, three senior U.S. defense officials have voiced concerns about the capabilities of the “Iron Dome” system to Israeli officials.

As highlighted by Hezbollah recently, they not only possess guided missiles and suicide drones capable of destroying the “Iron Dome,” but they also have FPV (First Person View) drones aimed at targeting Israel’s air defense pride.

FPV drones are widely used by military forces in Russia and Ukraine.

“We have conducted studies and found that parts of the Iron Dome air defense system would struggle to handle an increased attack of guided missiles and rockets from Hezbollah if a large-scale war were to erupt between the two sides,” said the U.S. officials.

For several years, Hezbollah has amassed hundreds of thousands of rockets of various calibers and guided missiles in preparation for a potential conflict with Israel.

Analysts state that Hezbollah fighters possess between 150,000 to 1 million rockets of various types.

Israeli military officials also acknowledge that the “Iron Dome” air defense system will face significant challenges in dealing with the increased rocket and missile attacks from Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, an Israeli sources told western media that they have also begun relocating defense equipment and assets from Gaza to northern Israel in preparation for a potential conflict with Hezbollah.

Earlier this month, Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon successfully destroyed an Iron Dome air defense system belonging to the Israeli military using the “Almas” anti-tank guided missile supplied by Iran.

Hezbollah’s ability to destroy the Israeli Iron Dome system is considered a significant achievement, as they have attempted to do so several times either through rocket fire or suicide drone systems.

This marks the first time Hezbollah has clearly demonstrated to the world its success in destroying the Iron Dome system.

Hezbollah has released videos and images showing the third-generation “Almas” anti-tank guided missile destroying an Iron Dome launcher at an Israeli military base in Ramot Naftali.

The “Almas” anti-tank guided missile, equipped with a video recording the final moments before striking the Iron Dome launcher, represents a significant military development.

Israeli military analysts also confirm that the incident in Ramot Naftali is the first time Hezbollah fighters have successfully destroyed an Iron Dome air defense system.

Days before, Hezbollah fighters claimed they had successfully destroyed an Iron Dome radar system located at Mount Golan.

Recently, Hezbollah fighters have intensified their attacks on the Iron Dome air defense system positions, which provide air protection for northern Israeli cities from Lebanese fighter rocket and suicide drone attacks.

 

Interestingly, the third-generation “Almas” anti-tank guided missile used to strike the Iron Dome system at the military base in Ramot Naftali is believed to be a reverse-engineered version of Israel’s “Spike” anti-tank guided missile.

Now, the Iranian-made “Almas” system, said to be a reverse-engineered “Spike” missile, has been used to target the very military that originally developed the missile.

According to information, Hezbollah fighters successfully captured Israeli “Spike” anti-tank guided missiles during the conflict between the two sides in southern Lebanon in 2006 and handed them over to Iran.

Iranian weapons experts who acquired the “Spike” system then reverse-engineered the modern weaponry system and successfully produced the “Almas” anti-tank guided missile system. — DSA