Iran-Israel war: Iranian missiles vs Israel’s advanced air defense system, who has advantage in current conflict? Report reveals SHOCKING details, says…
Iran-Israel war: Israel and Iran have exchanged missile and air strikes over the past three days as the conflict between the two enemy nations has boiled over into a full-scale Iran-Israel war, prompting military experts to weigh the military strengths and weaknesses of both sides to determine who will emerge victorious in the current conflict.
Iran vs Israel – Who holds the advantage?
In terms of boots on the ground, Iran holds the numerical advantage over Israel, boasting 14th largest standing army in the world, with 6 lakh active soldiers and about 3.5 lakh reserves. These numbers are distributed across the Iranian Army, Navy, Air Force, most importantly, the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In contrast, Israel, being a smaller country, has around 1.70 lakh active soldiers, but the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are augmented by their highly-trained 4.5 lakh reserves, which can be called upon to serve, and put into active duty within a few hours, in case of a full-blown Iran-Israel war. The Israeli Army is ranked 17th among world armies, according to the Global Firepower Index.
Iran also has paramilitary force with 220,000 personnel, which is much larger than Israel’s 35,000 para troopers.
Israeli air force is far superior
Coming to the air force, the Israeli air force is considered one of the most technologically advanced globally, with 89,000 active personnel, more than double of Iran’s 42,000.
Iran has 358 aircraft in active service, and 551 in reserve, while Israel has 490 operational planes, and 612 in reserve. On the fighter jet side, Israel holds a massive edge with 241 in-service fighter jets, and 193 prepped for immediate deployment, while Iran has 186 operational warplanes, with 121 on standby.
Additionally, Israel fighter jets fleet includes advanced aircraft such as the 5th-gen stealth fighter F-35I Adir, F-15 and F-16 fighters, while Iran’s fighter jets are much older and lack proper maintenance due to sanctions. According to various reports, Iran has F-14 Tomcat fighters, which were given by the US in 1970s before Islamic Revolution, but these jets are practically useless as they have not been upgraded or repaired because of sanctions.
The Iranian air force also has the outdated Mig-29 and Su-24 jets from Russia, but these are no match for the advanced electronic warfare systems and warplanes like the F-35 Adir.
Transport aircraft and attack choppers
Iran leads in transport aircraft with 56 active planes out of a total 86, while Israel has only 10 active transport aircraft out of its 12. But, in terms of attack helicopters, Israel is far ahead with 48, compared to Iran’s 13 attack choppers. Iran has 84 active military helicopters out of a total 129, while Israel has 117 helicopters on standby out of a total 146.
Iran has 102 trainer aircraft, while Israel owns 155.
Tanks, armored vehicles and artillery
As per the firepower index, Iran has 1,397 combat-ready tanks out of a total 1,996, while Israel owns a total of 1,370 tanks, with 1,096 in active service. The numbers are also on Iran’s side in terms of armored military vehicles, with Tehran having more than 46,000 operational vehicles, out of a total 65,765. On the other hand, Israel has a total of 43,407 vehicles, with around 34,736 in active service.
In terms of artillery, Iran has 406 operational self-propelled units (total 580), while Israel has 650 total units, with 540 operational. Iranian forces hold massive lead in towed artillery, operating 2,050 units compared to Israel’s 300. Iran also outshines Israel in Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), operating 775 units against Israel’s 150.
Naval power and assets
In terms of sheer numbers, Israel holds a slight edge with 19,500 Navy personnel against Iran’s 18,500, but Iran has more naval assets, around 101, compared to Israel’s 67. Israel has just five submarines, while Iran operates 19, but Israeli submarine are more advanced than their Iranian counterparts.
Israel operates 45 patrol vessels against Iran’s 21, and also has seven corvettes, while Iran has three. Neither Iran, nor Israel have aircraft carriers, helicopter carriers or destroyers, but Iran does have seven frigates, while its rival has none.
Iran has a total of 101 naval assets, while Israel operates 67. Neither country possesses aircraft carriers, helicopter carriers or destroyers. Iran maintains seven frigates; Israel has none. On the other hand, Israel fields seven corvettes, surpassing Iran’s three.
Missile arsenal
Iran’s missile capability is regarded by many as its greatest military asset. The country has an arsenal of over 3000 advanced ballistic and cruise missiles, including hypersonic missiles that can reach Mach 5 speeds (five times the speed of sound).
Iran’s missile arsenal includes, Shahab-3 (2000 km range), Fateh-110 (300 km), Khaybar Shekan (1,450 km), and the Fattah hypersonic missile, which reportedly can reach speeds of up to Mach 5.
On the other hand, Israel has a smaller missile arsenal, but its missiles are considered more advanced and modern than Iranians. Tel Aviv’s arsenal includes the LORA Air-Launched Ballistic Missile, Spice-2000, Delilah and Python series guided missiles, and the nuclear-capable Jericho III ICBM with a range of more than 4800 km.
Israel’s ‘impenetrable’ air defense system
Israel is known for its ‘impenetrable’, multi-layered air defense system, which includes its famous Iron Dome for intercepting short-range missiles and rockets, David’s Sling for medium-range missiles, and the Arrow II and III systems, meant to intercept long-range ballistic missiles.
In contrast, Iran’s air defenses are much weaker compared to its nemesis, with the Bavar-373 (a domestic version of Russian S-300), being its main line of defense against aerial threats, which is augmented by the indigenously built Khordad-15 and Talash-3 system, all of whom pale in comparison to Israel’s advanced aerial defense network.
Iran-Israel war
Earlier this week, Israel launched its fiercest attack on Iran, unleashing a wave of air strikes on Iranian cities, including capital Tehran, under Operation Rising Lion, in which several top Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami, commander Ghulam-Ali Rashid, nuclear scientist Dr. Mohammad Tehranchi, nuclear scientist Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi and Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri.
Tehran vowed to avenge the Israeli attack, stating that its response will be anything beyond what Israel and ally, the United States, could ever imagine, triggering the fears of a full-scale Iran-Israel war.
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