THIS is world’s best air defense system, not India’s S-400 Triumf, Israeli Iron Dome, the name is…, its used by…

India’s Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defense system proved its mettle during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, stopping every missile and drone attack from Pakistan, and acting as an aerial shield that protected Indian cities. However, despite being a highly-advanced and effective air defense system, the S-400 Triumf is not the world’s best air defense system, neither is Israel’s famed Iron Dome.

Let us find out more.

World’s best air defense system?

While Israel’s Iron Dome often hogs headlines for stopping rocket attacks from Palestinian armed group Hamas, its the David’s Sling air defense system that protects the Jewish nation from missile attack from Iran and its proxies like the Houthis in Yemen. Jointly developed by Israel and United States, the David’s Sling is capable of tracking and intercepting medium-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles up to a range of 300 kilometers.

David’s Slings, deployed in 2017, fires stunner missiles with electro-optical/infrared seeker which intercepts threats at Mach 7.5 speeds. Its also capable of distinguishing between decoys and real warheads in real-time.

THAAD air defense system

Developed by Lockheed Martin, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), is touted as the most-advanced air defense system currently in use. Unlike traditional air defence systems that use explosive warheads, THAAD employs a “hit-to-kill” technique, using kinetic energy, instead of explosive warheads, to destroying incoming aerial threats.

The THAAD system is still in testing stages and is estimated to have a range of up to 200 kilometers. Designed for the United States Air Force (USAF), THAAD is equipped with a highly-advanced radar system that can detect threats over 1000 kilometers away. The system is currently deployed in South Korea and the UAE.

What about the Iron Dome?

While the Iron Dome has certainly earned the hype it is usually surrounded with, the Israeli air defense system is primarily designed to stop short-range rocket and artillery attacks by the Hamas from the Gaza Strip. The Iron Dome uses ELM-2084 radar and Tamir missiles, and is good at stopping short-range aerial attacks.

News