Air Defense Command (Israel) Explained

Unit Name:Air Defense Command
Native Name:מערך ההגנה האווירית
Dates:1948–present
Motto:אנשים עם מטרה
(People with a target/purpose)
Commander1:Tat aluf Gilad Biran
Identification Symbol Label:Flag

The Israeli Air Defense Command (Hebrew: מערך ההגנה האווירית) is the Israeli Air and Space Force unit responsible for the surface front of Israels air defense, complementing the air defense provided by Fighter squadrons. Initially a part of the IDF Artillery Corps, since 1970 the Air Defense Command has been subordinate to the Israeli Air and Space Force.

History

During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Air Defense Network was part of the Artillery Corps, primarily relying on machine guns. During the 1960s, 40 mm radar-guided anti-aircraft guns were introduced, and in 1965, MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles. The latter were operated by the Air Force's surface-to-air units. In the 1970s, the entire Air Defense Network was merged with the Air Force.

The Air Defense Command operated many United States-developed short-range system such as the MIM-23 Hawk, the MIM-72 Chaparral and M163 VADS ("Hovet"). The Air Defense Command scored world premier interceptions with most of these systems, mainly against the Syrian Air Force.

Due to increasing rocket threat from the Gaza Strip, Israeli-developed Iron Dome C-RAM system became operational in 2011. In 2011 the system scored its first interception and since then intercepted hundreds of short- and medium-ranged rockets, fired by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, gaining world acclaim for its effectiveness and success.[1] [2] [3] [4]

On 23 September 2014, a Syrian Air Force Su-24 was shot down by an IAF MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile battery, after allegedly crossing the Syrian-Israeli ceasefire line during a ground attack mission against Syrian opposition forces.[5] [6] This was the first operational shoot down of crewed enemy aircraft for the Patriot in the world. Few months earlier, Israeli Patriot batteries shot down 2 Hamas drones.

Weapons and equipment

Future systems:

Organization

Although a part of the Air and Space Force, the command has the same unit structure as the Artillery Corps. Its current commander is Brigadier-General Gilad Biran, who is directly subordinate to the commander of the Air and Space Force.

Notes and References

  1. News: Israel lauds success of Iron Dome missile interceptor. Ori Lewis. Reuters. 22 August 2011. 21 November 2012.
  2. Web site: How Israel's 'Iron Dome' Knocks Almost Every Incoming Missile Out Of The Sky. Clay Dillow. 19 November 2012. Popular Science. 20 November 2012. 10 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170810111312/http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-11/fyi-how-israel%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98iron-dome%E2%80%99-knocks-incoming-missiles-out-sky. dead.
  3. News: How Israel Developed Such A Shockingly Effective Rocket Defense System. Robert Johnson. Business Insider. 19 November 2012. 20 November 2012.
  4. Iron Dome: A Missile Shield that Works . Mark . Thompson . Time . Time Magazine website . 19 November 2012 . 9 April 2013.
  5. News: IDF: Syrian fighter jet shot down over Golan. Raved. Ahiya. 23 September 2014. ynet.co.il.
  6. News: IDF shoots down Syrian fighter plane infiltrating Israeli territory. Amos. Harel. 23 September 2014. 23 September 2014. Haaretz.
  7. Web site: IAF upgrading Patriot missile defense system.
  8. Web site: Peretz to Barak: Deploy anti-missile system near Gaza.
  9. Web site: Azulay . Yuval . 26 October 2023 . Israel to test Iron Beam laser system on Hamas missiles . Calcalistech.