America and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday. After this, Iran targeted American military bases in the Middle East one by one. Meanwhile, UAE has activated THAAD, which has shot down Iranian missiles. THAAD is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system. whose full name isTerminal High Altitude Area Defence. It is used to destroy ballistic missiles.
Hours after joint attacks by the US and Israel on Iranian targets, Iran fired missiles into the Gulf region. Many of these missiles were fired at military bases in the United Arab Emirates. THAAD is in the news amid the attacks and the question is how many countries in the world have such an air missile defense system and which one is more powerful?
What is air defense system?
First of all let us know what air defense system is. Actually it is an air defense shield. It not only protects the country from air attacks but also writes a story of destruction by entering into enemy territory. This is a very modern system. It consists of radar, sensors, interceptor missiles and command systems. All these have their own role. Radars find targets in the sky. The control center decides which threat is real. Then the interceptor missile is fired. The missile or drone is dropped in the air itself. Nowadays, during war, the first attack comes from the sky. Therefore air defense has now become the national shield.
American anti-ballistic missile defense system THAAD.
How is America’s air defense system?
America’s air defense system is at the forefront in the world. It ensures multi-layer security. It has many types of security systems. These include Patriot PAC-3, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, Aegis Naval System etc. America is moving towards developing Golden Dome in the coming days.
- Patriot Pac-3: It drops short and medium range missiles. Its range is said to be between 70-170 km. It is capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously.
- Features of THAAD: It is designed to destroy ballistic missiles coming at high altitude. It can intercept targets up to an altitude of about 150 km. This technology works on hit to kill formula i.e. it breaks the missile into pieces by direct collision.
- Aegis System: This is a networked air defense installed on ships. Can hit both sea-to-air missiles and aircraft. The American radar network is also very dense and spread over long distances.
Those who understand the defense system believe that due to technological layering, range diversity and global deployment, America is definitely number one in terms of air defense architecture.
Russia’s S-500 defense system.
How powerful is Russia’s air defense system?
Russia has S-400 and S-500 defense systems. Both of them have tremendous strength. It is also said that both the defense systems are the lifeblood of the Russian Army. Russia has used them from time to time and has been able to destroy targets.
Its maximum range is said to be around 400 km. Can track dozens of targets simultaneously. Works equally well on fighter jets, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles. This is mobile. This means that it can be easily carried anywhere.
How does the S-500 work?
It is considered the next generation Russian shield. It has been designed against ballistic and hypersonic missiles. It can capture and destroy targets even at great heights. Russia sees it as its strategic anti-access weapon.
Russia’s S-400 and S-500 combo is one of the most dangerous options in long range strategic air defense and anti-missile capability. Analysts consider the S-400 to be among the most effective deployed systems in the world to date. Russia has used it on some sectors in the Ukraine war.
India has also purchased this system, which the Indian Army calls Sudarshan Chakra. It is said that it played an important role in the defense of India in Operation Sindoor.
China’s defense system HQ-9.
How is China’s air defense system?
China has HQ 9, HQ 22 and the emerging HQ 29. China has built its air defense network very rapidly in the last two decades. Its focus is indigenous systems and dense radar grid. The main systems available with it are HQ-9, HQ-22, HQ-26 and HQ-29.
- How HQ9 works: It is often considered to have the capability of Russia’s older S300 level. It is against medium to long range aircraft and missiles. Both China and Pakistan have deployed it.
- How powerful is HQ 22: This is a relatively new generation system. The range is considered to be in the medium to high category. It wreaks havoc on the enemy and leaves him only after destroying him.
- What is the specialty of HQ 29: According to available reports, it can work in both anti-ballistic and anti-satellite roles. Interception claims are made at altitudes of more than 500 km. It is being kept in the category of systems like American THAAD and Russian New-Dol.
Experts say that most of China’s systems have not yet been fully tested in real war. Therefore there may be a difference between claim and reality. But, China is rapidly building high-end missile defense, but is still considered behind America and Russia in war-tested experience. But it cannot be taken lightly.
Israel’s Iron Dome.
Israel is a great master of small layers
Israel is a small country, but it needs security the most. For this reason he created the world’s most compact and intelligent layered shield. The air defense systems available with Israel include Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow systems (Arrow 2, Arrow 3).
- Features of Iron Dome: It is designed to stop short range rockets, mortars, drones. Its success rate is considered to be up to 8090 percent. It itself decides which rocket will fall in the populated area. Fires missiles only at those targets which actually pose a threat. That is why it proves to be very economical.
- David’s Sling is no less: It is designed for medium range missiles. Its range is 70 to 300 km.
- Arrow System: It is designed to shoot down long-range ballistic missiles at high altitude. It has also received American technology and support.
In this way it can be said that Israel’s air defense is highly accurate. It almost acts like a shield for a small country. The world has often seen its performance live in protecting urban areas from rain of rockets.
India has S-400 which has been purchased from Russia.
How powerful is India’s air defense system?
India has Russia’s S-400 and Akash and Barak 8 are also its companions. India has purchased S-400 from Russia. The indigenous Akash missile system is also very strong. Barak 8, a joint production of India and Israel, is also a strong security shield. It is expected that India will move forward in creating more indigenous layers in the future.
S-400 is strategic armor for India. There is a plan to deploy it in both Pakistan and China. Barak 8 can engage medium-range targets from both naval and land platforms. Swadeshi Akash is for low to medium range air defence. Overall, India has adopted a mixed model. Here Russian, Israeli and indigenous technology is being used together. Due to this, India is counted among the countries with strong air defense network in Asia.
Who is the most powerful?
The direct answer to this question is a bit difficult. Only a brief comparison can be made. America’s air defense system is the most layered. Capable of coverage from space, land and sea. In this way it can be said that America is at the forefront in overall architecture. Russia has defense systems like S-400 and S-500. These have also been tested from time to time. They are capable of targeting ballistic and hypersonic threats. In this way, Russia comes out very strong in long range anti-access and anti-missile.
China has many systems. He is working on many but these are yet to be tested in battle. Israel is far ahead in this matter. All its systems are known for their exceptional performance. India too was not weak. No one can take that lightly in Asia. India has a clear lead over neighboring countries.
Also read: What is the meaning of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq? launched by PAK against Afghanistan