Better Late Than Never: In Wake of a Failed Iron Dome, A Lesson India Learnt!

financialexpress.com:

By Vaibhav Agrawal

The recent setback experienced by Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ anti-missile system has ignited discussions within global strategic circles about the reliability of these defence systems. Questions are arising regarding whether anti-missile systems can truly guarantee foolproof protection against enemy missile attacks, especially given the substantial financial investments involved. While Israel contends that the ‘Iron Dome’ has reduced casualties, there is a valid concern that even a single nuclear missile breach could fulfil an adversary’s objectives.

The recent events in which Palestinian militant group Hamas rained rockets upon heavily fortified Israeli cities have revealed that the ‘Iron Dome’ can face challenges when dealing with a barrage of missile launches. In situations where an adversary is determined to cause harm, simultaneous missile launches could be an effective strategy. Despite these limitations, many countries continue to deploy anti-missile systems. This underscores the need for more effective air defence systems in two key ways. Firstly, there is a requirement for a broader array of defensive weapons capable of countering a large number of threats. Secondly, efforts must be made to reduce the cost per defensive weapon significantly.

After three decades of steadfast progress in its ballistic missile development program, India now possesses a diverse range of missile systems, from the short-range 350-km Prithvi to the formidable long-range Agni-5, with a reach of 5,000 km while Agni-6 is estimated to be India’s ultimate range ICBM i.e. 10,000+ kms. These capabilities serve as a significant deterrent for potential adversaries, underlining India’s readiness to respond swiftly if threatened.