New missile defenses, EW tactics aided Israel during 12-day Iran conflict

JERSUALEM — During the recent twelve-day conflict with Iran, Israel broke out new defense technologies, including the first Israeli operational use of the Barak air defense systems as well as the first public disclosure about an Israeli Defense Forces unit that uses electromagnetic spectrum defenses to counter drones.

Israel’s war with Iran came about after more than 600 days of a multi-front conflict that began on Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel. The long war has provided Israel ample time to prepare for the kinds of threats that Iran had in store for Israel.

“Israel’s successful integration of the Arrow, David’s Sling, Iron Dome, and AI-driven precision targeting systems has transformed the conventional battlefield.” Eric Mandel, director of the Middle East Political Information Network (MEPIN) told Breaking Defense. “This revolution is reshaping the future of modern warfare,” he added.

Yaakov Katz, author of Shadow Strike, a book about Israel’s raid on Syria’s nuclear program, and a Fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute added that “Israel showcased once again in combat operations some of the most superior and advanced technology; from missile defense systems, to electro-magnetic systems to electronic warfare to shoot down drones.” 

Israel Aerospace Industries’ Barak Magen was first used on June 15 to intercept “eight UAVs launched from Iran,” according to the IDF. The IDF described the system as a long-range air defense system, or LRAD, installed on new Sa’ar 6 corvettes, and “is capable of countering a wide range of threats, including UAVs, cruise missiles, high-trajectory threats, shore-to-sea missiles, and more.”

A second statement from the IDF on June 20 noted a second system from the Barak family was used to intercept drone threats. 

A statement from IAI read: “The Barak MX system provides a comprehensive defense solution against a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, missiles – such as cruise missiles, sea-to-sea missiles, rockets and ballistic missiles.” IAI added that the system is used by various customers around the world and deploys “a family of interceptors designed for ranges of up to 35km, up to 70km, and up to 150km.”

The system was “originally designed for missile interception, [and] the Barak-MX has been upgraded with multi-mission interceptors and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar,” Mandel said. This enhancement enables it to track and neutralize low-signature UAVs in cluttered airspace.”

Electronic warfare also appears to have played a part.

On June 23, the IDF revealed that units of its Spectrum Warfare 5114th Battalion in the J6 and Cyber Defense Directorate had “played a significant role in defending the State of Israel against UAVs launched from Iran.” The report said that the unit had helped stop “dozens” of drone threats, and “constitutes an additional layer of defense leveraging advanced technological means to detect and neutralize aerial threats in real time.”

“The UAVs arrive from Iranian territory into Israel and we help intercept them on an ongoing basis. These interceptions form an additional and important layer of defense that contributes to the protection of Israel’s skies,” said Lt. Col. B, the commander of the 5114th Battalion at the Spectrum Warfare Center, in the June 23 IDF statement. “Every UAV we manage to stop helps protect our civilians, our residents, and our strategic assets. We will continue to operate at all times to protect the residents of the country.”

According to Israeli reports, Iran launched more than 1,000 drones at Israel during the 12-day war. Katz noted that Israel was able to intercept around 90 percent of the ballistic missiles Iran launched at Israel.