'Bruised' Iran back on the game, has repaired its air defence systems to counter Israeli attack: Report

Tehran is preparing to face a potential Israeli attack on its nuclear sites and has since bolstered its air defences, according to a report. This comes as Western media claims that Israel could strike its arch-foe if the US-Iran nuclear talks collapse.

Iran has already warned the US that it would bear legal responsibility in the event of an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.

However, it is already preparing for the onslaught with Western assessments backed by satellite images showing Iran has repositioned several of its surface-to-air missile launchers, including S-300 systems, near key nuclear sites such as Natanz and Fordow, according to Financial Times. These air defence systems, including three S-300 systems, were said to have been damaged in the Israeli attack last October, with satellite images showing many S-300 sites empty. It, however, is not clear whether they were destroyed or simply moved. "There is not much hard evidence," Sam Lair, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, told the Financial Times.  

Anyhow many elements of Iran’s air defences "remain intact or appear to have been repaired in recent months," the report added. Tehran, which believes its air defences underperformed last year, has repositioned and diversified launchers and radars.

Also read: How Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear sites could look: Two scenarios explained

Tackling Iran's arsenal

Analysts believe it would be challenging for Israel to hit Iran's nuclear facilities since they are located deep underground and are heavily fortified. Israel would require the US help, including the bunker buster munitions and B-2 bombers, for a successful hit.

If that's the case, Israel would require multiple sorties, including the use of mid-air refuelling tankers that themselves might be vulnerable to long-range surface-to-air missiles or drones. The aircraft will also be within range of Iran's short and medium surface-to-air missiles, and loitering anti-aircraft drones. Iran also possesses short-range systems such as the Russian Tor-M1 and locally developed surface-to-air missiles like the long-range Bavar-373 and the medium-range Khordad-15.

Though Israel can, it won't be easy for them to navigate such defences. "But is that beyond Israeli capabilities? No, of course not. The Israelis have been training for precisely this scenario for decades," according to Jon Alterman, chair of global security and geostrategy at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Then there is also the challenge of suppressing Iran's air defences before the bombing begins. This could be a days-long battle where aircrews are pitted against surface weapons. "Israel has established near air dominance over Iran," said Robert Tollast, a researcher at UK think-tank RUSI. "But a strike like this would require waves and waves of aircraft over several hours. Crew fatigue enters the picture. The longer they are over Iran, the more likely that something goes wrong," he told the Financial Times.

"You have a very intense air battle, with a significant chance that an Israeli pilot would be paraded on Iranian TV," he added.

Experts also believe Iran could have created the most mobile, modern air defence systems which can quickly change positions, and hide in shelters, making them less vulnerable to stand-off strikes with long-range missiles.

Middle East