What is Israel’s first line of defense, the Iron Dome?

Israel’s first line of defense, a missile defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is labeled the Iron Dome. It was first deployed in 2011, and has since rebuffed and destroyed rockets from Hamas militants, Palestinian forces and Iranian drones and missiles. Most recently, the Iron Dome detected incoming drones sent by Iran after Israel launched strikes aimed at their nuclear and missile infrastructure. 

The Iron Dome is land-based and built to keep the citizens of Israel safe from barrages of rockets deployed most often from the Gaza Strip by Iranian-backed terrorists, Hamas. The system is capable of tackling missiles with ranges between 2.5 miles and about 43 miles.

In June 2025, Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” against Iran, a mission aimed at targeting Iran’s nuclear weapons. The defense system repelled drones fired by Iran in retaliation for the Israeli strike. 

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Israel’s shield uses radar to track an incoming threat, like a missile or artillery shell, and relays the data and target coordinates to a missile firing unit. Interceptor Tamir missiles are fired at the enemy’s projectile to eliminate the threat.

In the past, the Iron Dome has been 90% effective in intercepting thousands of rockets fired from Hamas terrorists, according to Israeli officials. The defense system was integral to Israel’s defense during conflict with Gaza in 2012 and 2014. 

In December 2020, Israel’s defense ministry reported that they tested sea-based aerial defense systems over a span of a few weeks and all tests were successfully intercepted by Israel’s multi-tier defense systems – the Iron Dome, Arrow and David’s Sling.

David’s Sling, or “Magic Wand” is the secondary layer of protection and a complete air defense system also developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to combat ballistic missiles and medium-range rocket attacks.

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The Arrow is the third layer of protection and an anti-missile defense system – the most advanced of its kind. It is used to combat long-range missile strikes. The U.S. has invested in the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and the Arrow and has provided finances for the restocking of the defense systems.

In 2021, bipartisan House lawmakers doubled down on America’s support for Israel following a deadly conflict with Hamas. 

Both Democrats and Republicans wrote to now-retired Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in June 2021 urging the Pentagon to work with Congress to restock Israel’s supply of interceptors for the Iron Dome.

A total of 55 lawmakers signed the letter in support.

The letter read, “We must ensure that the Iron Dome remains able to protect Israel without running the risk that its stockpile of interceptors becomes depleted. Israel must always have the resources it needs to defend itself from incoming rockets when it is targeted again.”

The United States began providing funding for the Iron Dome in 2011 and 55% of the system’s components are currently manufactured in the U.S., according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Israel is the unrivaled recipient of U.S. military assistance, totaling over $3 billion each year. For the Iron Dome alone, the U.S. volunteered $1.6 billion from 2011-2021.

In June 2022, a U.S. company, JustAnswer, launched aid for Ukraine to build a modernized missile defense system, much like the Iron Dome, to prevent Russian rockets from striking civilians. The missile system “Sky Project” intends to create a mobile, all-weather air defense system designed to intercept and destroy rockets and artillery shells.

Since returning to office for his second term, President Donald Trump has pushed for the United States to have its own missile defense system called the “Golden Dome.” The missile defense system inspired by the Iron Dome is part of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, with an estimated cost of $175 billion.