12 Days of Defence: Israel’s $285 Million-a-Night Shield Races Against Iran’s Hypersonic Barrage
For decades, Israel has relied on one of the world’s most advanced multi-layered missile defence systems to protect its skies. But today, as it faces a massive and relentless missile assault from Iran, that shield is beginning to show cracks — and time is running out.
A War Unlike Any Before
Since the latest conflict erupted six days ago, Iran has fired over 400 ballistic missiles at Israel, alongside dozens of drones and cruise missiles. This isn’t the kind of attack Israel’s military planners anticipated. While Israel had always expected short-range rockets from groups like Hezbollah or Hamas, a sudden onslaught of ballistic and hypersonic missiles directly from Iran was a different threat altogether.
And while Israel’s defences have performed admirably, they’re burning through expensive interceptors at a dangerous rate.
A ballistic missile convoy emerges from Iran’s underground base.
What is Israel’s Missile Defence System?
Israel uses a multi-layered defence system designed to intercept everything from short-range rockets to long-range ballistic and cruise missiles. Here’s how it works:
| System | Intercept Range | Altitude | Targets | Interceptor Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Dome | 4–70 km | Low to Medium | Rockets, Artillery, Mortars | $40,000 per interceptor |
| David’s Sling | 40–300 km | Medium to High | Cruise & Short-range Ballistic | $1 million per interceptor |
| Arrow-2 | 70–300 km | High | Medium-range Ballistic Missiles | $3 million per interceptor |
| Arrow-3 | 300–2400 km | Exo-atmospheric | Long-range Ballistic Missiles | $3 million per interceptor |
| Patriot/THAAD (US) | 70–200 km | 150 Km | Ballistic & Cruise Missiles | Varies ($3–6 million) |
Iron Dome is highly effective against small, short-range rockets, while David’s Sling, Arrow-2, and Arrow-3 tackle more dangerous ballistic and hypersonic threats.
The Problem: Arrow Interceptors Running Low
While Israel has a large stockpile of Iron Dome missiles — designed mainly for smaller threats — the real issue lies with its Arrow interceptors. These costly, high-altitude missiles are built to destroy ballistic and hypersonic threats before they enter Israeli airspace.
Each Arrow interceptor costs around $3 million, and according to U.S. defence officials, Israel may have only 10 to 12 days of interceptors left if Iran keeps firing at the current pace.
Every night of missile defence operations is costing Israel up to $285 million, a staggering financial and logistical strain.
Does Iran Have That Many Missiles?
Iran’s missile arsenal has long been a mystery. Intelligence estimates suggest Iran possesses around 2,000 ballistic missiles of varying ranges. However, only a fraction of those — likely a few hundred — are capable of reaching Israel directly.
There are two possibilities:
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Iran has a limited stock of long-range ballistic missiles that can hit Israel, which may explain why the missile attack rate slowed after the first two days.
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Or Iran still has a considerable stockpile in underground silos and bunkers, which it’s holding back for a prolonged conflict.
Either way, Israel must be prepared for more.
Signs of Strain and Breaches
Despite Israel’s strong defence network, cracks are beginning to show:
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A missile struck near Israel’s military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Friday night.
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Another hit an oil refinery in Haifa, forcing a shutdown.
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On Tuesday, verified footage showed explosions close to an Israeli intelligence facility north of Tel Aviv.
So far, the conflict has claimed 24 Israeli lives and injured over 600 people.
U.S. Steps In, Costs Soar
The United States has quietly deployed additional missile defence assets to support Israel, including U.S. Navy destroyers and Patriot missile batteries in the region.
But experts warn that neither country can sustain round-the-clock intercept operations indefinitely.
As Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, put it:
“You cannot sit and intercept missiles all day. Eventually, you’ll run out.”
Offensive Push and High Stakes
In response, Israel launched a major daytime airstrike on Tehran on Wednesday, targeting Iran’s missile factories, military bases, and uranium centrifuge facilities. Over 50 fighter jets participated in the operation.
Yet, Iranian leaders remain defiant, threatening further escalation and vowing to unleash more hypersonic and long-range missiles like the Fatah-1, capable of evading current missile defences.
The Final Countdown
Without immediate resupply of Arrow and David’s Sling interceptors from the U.S. and Israeli industry, the country may soon face an impossible choice — either intercept selectively or brace for direct missile impacts.
The next 10 to 12 days could determine the outcome of this unprecedented missile war in the Middle East.
