Israel’s Arrow air defense system intercepts a long-range rocket fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen
Israel has successfully used its Arrow air defense system to intercept a long-range rocket fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen, in a rare and impressive display of its advanced capabilities. The incident occurred on October 31, 2023, when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detected an incoming missile threat in the area of the Red Sea. The Arrow system, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside of the Earth’s atmosphere, launched an interceptor missile from Eilat, a city at the southern tip of Israel, and destroyed the target before it could reach Israeli territory.
The IDF said that this was the first operational use of the Arrow system since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and that it “thwarted an aerial threat in the area of the Red Sea”. The IDF did not specify who was responsible for the missile, but the Houthi armed group reportedly claimed responsibility, and Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the Houthis of a similar attack last week. An October 28 would-be strike using drones and missiles, attributed to the Houthis, was intercepted by fire from a US naval ship.
The Arrow system is the highest layer of Israel’s multi-layered air defense system, which also includes the David’s Sling and Iron Dome systems. The current Arrow system is called Arrow 3 and was recently sold to Germany as Berlin sought a solution to threats in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine. Israel announced it was working on an Arrow 4 system to build on the success of Arrow 3 in 2021. Israel Aerospace Industries, the lead Israeli contractor on the Arrow, praised the IDF for the successful interception. “The Arrow system […] demonstrated today that Israel possesses the most advanced technology for defense against ballistic missiles at various ranges,” CEO and President of the IAI, Boaz Levy, said.
As Israel broadens its costly counterattack into Gaza, Jerusalem is facing aerial threats from several directions. It is estimated that more than 8,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza, although exact numbers are not available. From Lebanon, Hezbollah has launched numerous anti-tank missiles, and there have been several rocket launches from other armed groups in Syria. The Arrow system provides Israel with a vital shield against these threats, and shows that Israel is ready to defend itself from any enemy.
