Ballistic missiles are long-range weapons designed to deliver conventional or nuclear warheads through a curved, projectile-like flight path. These strategic weapons have become central to the ongoing military confrontation between Iran and Israel, especially after Tehran launched hundreds of missiles in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities and military leaders.
While Israel successfully intercepted many of the incoming projectiles, several ballistic missiles penetrated its defense systems, causing direct hits in central Tel Aviv and other key areas—inflicting serious material damage and casualties.
Though the full size of Iran’s missile arsenal remains classified, experts widely regard it as one of the largest and most advanced in the Middle East.
How Do Ballistic Missiles Work?
Ballistic missiles are launched using powerful rocket engines that propel them high into the upper atmosphere—or even into space—at hypersonic speeds. After burnout, the missile coasts along a predefined ballistic arc, re-entering the atmosphere at steep angles to strike its target with extreme force.
Missile Ranges: How Far Can They Go?
Ballistic missiles are categorised by range:
- BRBM (Battlefield Range Ballistic Missile): < 200 km (124 mi)
- SRBM (Short-Range Ballistic Missile): < 1,000 km (621 mi)
- MRBM / IRBM (Medium / Intermediate-Range): 1,000–3,500 km (621–2,175 mi)
- LRBM (Long-Range): 3,500–5,500 km (2,175–3,418 mi)
- ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile): > 5,500 km (3,418 mi)
Iran’s arsenal includes short- to intermediate-range missiles, some capable of reaching Israel within minutes.
How Fast Are They?
Ballistic missiles travel at extremely high speeds, measured in Mach (multiples of the speed of sound):
- Mach 1 ≈ 1,225 km/h (761 mph)
- Mach 5 = 5x the speed of sound ≈ 6,125 km/h (3,806 mph)
Many of Iran’s missiles exceed Mach 5, entering the hypersonic category, which reduces response time for enemy air defenses.
How Long Would It Take to Reach Israel?
The distance between Iran and Israel ranges from 1,300 to 1,500 km (800–930 miles). A Mach 5 missile could strike Israeli territory in approximately 12 minutes. The exact timing depends on launch point and missile type.
Why Are Ballistic Missiles So Hard to Intercept?
Ballistic missiles pose a significant threat due to their high speed, long range, and minimal interception window. Once they re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, they descend at extreme velocities, complicating radar tracking and interception efforts.
Advanced models also release decoys or countermeasures to confuse defense systems.
Ballistic vs. Cruise Missiles: What’s the Difference?
Iran has used both ballistic and cruise missiles in its military campaigns:
- Cruise missiles fly at low, stable altitudes, similar to drones, and are harder to detect.
- They are slower than ballistic missiles but more maneuverable, allowing them to evade air defenses by flying around obstacles.
- Ballistic missiles: ~12 minutes to reach Israel
- Cruise missiles: ~2 hours
- Drones: ~9 hours
Iran’s Missile Arsenal: Decades of Development
Over the past 30 years, Iran has developed a broad range of ballistic and cruise missiles. These systems form a key component of its defense and deterrence doctrine, particularly amid growing regional threats and foreign intervention.
Israel’s Missile Arsenal and Defense Systems
Israel maintains an advanced missile arsenal capable of carrying nuclear warheads, developed in close coordination with the United States.
Its air defense relies on a multi-layered missile shield:
- Iron Dome: Intercepts short-range rockets and artillery
- David’s Sling: Covers threats in the 40–300 km (25–186 mi) range
- Arrow System: Targets long-range missiles up to 2,400 km (1,491 mi)
Despite these systems, multiple Iranian missiles have recently breached Israeli defenses, demonstrating the evolving threat landscape and the strategic value of Tehran’s missile capabilities.
Conclusion: Strategic Warfare in the Sky
In the ongoing military struggle between Iran and the Israeli occupation, ballistic missiles have become the defining weapons of deterrence and power projection. As Iran’s arsenal grows more sophisticated and battle-tested, the balance of aerial supremacy in the Middle East is shifting—raising serious questions about the limits of current missile defense technology and the risks of full-scale war.
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