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  • Iron Dome for India

    NEW DELHI: As Fajr V rockets rained down on Israel from battleground Gaza for a week, many Indian defense planners were keeping a close watch on the performance of Israel's Iron Dome, which is probably the only deterrent to these homegrown short-range missiles.

    It was not just out of curiosity regarding one of the most effective systems against rockets, but also because of the possibility of India acquiring an indigenous version of Iron Dome.

    Several months ago, the military scientists in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had suggested that India look at a joint development programme with Israeli firms to develop an Indian version of Iron Dome, which is touted as the most effective system against short-range missiles such as Fajr V rockets. The Indian scientists believe Israel's plight has several parallels to its threat from Pakistan as well as the vulnerability of its cities from terrorists.

    The Iron Dome, according to reports, intercepted 87% of the rockets fired at Israel by the Hamas. The system, produced by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and at work since 2011, is believed to have the capability to shoot down rockets and artillery shells with ranges of up to 70 km. The system has been shown to be effective against rockets or shells that might target populated areas.

    In the Indian military establishment, the temptation for acquiring this new toy is explained by the fact that India is ringed by hostile neighbours. Pakistani terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) could well acquire similar capability that would threaten large groups of Indian population. Even otherwise, the strategic planners have for long been worried about the deadly effect of short-range rockets fired at Indian cities or from across the border.

    Unlike ballistic missiles, against which DRDO claims to have a fairly good anti-ballistic missile shield, there is almost no protection against short-range rockets or artillery fire. DRDO is currently collaborating with Israeli firms to develop medium range surface to air missiles (MRSAMs) and LRSAMs. However, Iron Dome is in a different class all together, Israeli diplomatic sources here argue.

    One of the reasons why some Indian defence planners is pushing for it is the possibility of another conflict with Pakistan, where a system like the Iron Dome might be useful to deter even conventional artillery attacks. In addition, Pakistan has developed a tactical nuclear weapon like the Nasr, which is a solid fuelled battlefield range ballistic missile. While Pakistani analysts say this was developed in anticipation of India's supposed Cold Start doctrine, some Indian sources say the Iron Dome might be an effective deterrent against this new weapon.

    On the other hand, acquiring such defensive systems in anticipation of similar attacks might prove to be too much a temptation for groups like LeT. While they haven't yet developed rockets like the ones the Hamas has been using, the lure of such home-grown weaponry should not be under-estimated, say diplomatic sources.

    According to sources, there have been some discussions between DRDO and their Israeli counterparts for a possible joint development of Iron Dome for India. "The Israeli team comes and works in our laboratories. Our team goes and works in their laboratories and industries. There is a learning that is taking place which was not there when we buy things and integrate with existing products... In directed energy weapons — we are focusing on fibre laser, high powered micro-waves, etc. We have also started discussions with Iron Dome for co-development (in India)," Dr W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller looking after international cooperation, told the Economic Times recently.
    India eyes Israel's Iron Dome to counter Pak, puppets - The Times of India


    What is the likelihood that India will face rockets similar to the ones used by HAMAS? What will India's reaction on such occasion considering most of the rockets are ineffective?
    How many of such systems will be required to cover the Punjab & Gujrat border? (Not necessary in Rajasthan - Desert/ J&K - Mountains)
    Can the Iron Dome intercept artillery shells too?
    Will is be effective against Tact Nukes too??

  • #2
    Originally posted by appu_sen View Post


    What is the likelihood that India will face rockets similar to the ones used by HAMAS? What will India's reaction on such occasion considering most of the rockets are ineffective?
    How many of such systems will be required to cover the Punjab & Gujrat border? (Not necessary in Rajasthan - Desert/ J&K - Mountains)
    Can the Iron Dome intercept artillery shells too?
    Will is be effective against Tact Nukes too??
    I think you can count on Pakistani rockets to be a tad more effective and more efficient that the ones being used by Hamas. Iron Dome across the LoC would be mindblowing in cost and manpower but never say never. As for artillary, the report above does say it "is believed to have the capability to shoot down rockets and artillery shells with ranges of up to 70 km. The system has been shown to be effective against rockets or shells that might target populated areas".

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    • #3
      Can this system be made mobile, I mean can IBG be able to use it or there will be no need since it has range up to 70 KM ?

      I think I have given the answer myself.

      It will be an interesting view during war or war exercises where rockets and artillery shells will be fired at and opposite's intercepted as well.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by dave lukins View Post
        I think you can count on Pakistani rockets to be a tad more effective and more efficient that the ones being used by Hamas. Iron Dome across the LoC would be mindblowing in cost and manpower but never say never. As for artillary, the report above does say it "is believed to have the capability to shoot down rockets and artillery shells with ranges of up to 70 km. The system has been shown to be effective against rockets or shells that might target populated areas".
        That was my initial thinking. But then if PAK manufacturted rockets are used, how will the PAK army deny it. And I am not talking of a war here, just terror strike similar to HAMAS.

        Interesting to see India's response.....may be Pinaka.....

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        • #5
          Originally posted by ambidex View Post
          Can this system be made mobile, I mean can IBG be able to use it or there will be no need since it has range up to 70 KM ?

          I think I have given the answer myself.

          It will be an interesting view during war or war exercises where rockets and artillery shells will be fired at and opposite's intercepted as well.
          I thinks this tye of system is more efficient in defensive deployment. i.e. near cities. Embedding them in IBG may require hell lot of money and may be tackled by enemy infantry/armour against which it is ineffective.

          How about integrating this with an CM battery for counter launch site attacks. (As soon as the launch is detected by the Iron Dome, a CM is launched immediately towards launch site... will it be an overkill??).

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          • #6
            What is the interception range (vertical and horizontal) of ID? At this range, if it intercepts a tact nuke, will it save the intended target of the nuke?

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            • #7
              When dealing with large nation-states capable of saturating a system like Iron Dome, wouldn't counter-battery fire be more cost-effective?

              Iron dome is somewhat unique in that it is purely defensive, and engineered because it's politically very expensive to hammer the launch site with JDAM or artillery in the densely populated region.

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              • #8
                PA is supposed to possess the A100.
                If they wanted they could pummel positions across the border and move again before any counter battery efforts.
                For Gallifrey! For Victory! For the end of time itself!!

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                • #9
                  Here is a working paper on the wider subject of missile defense.

                  India’s Prospects in the Area of Ballistic Missile Defense: A Regional Security Perspective | Carnegie | July 2012

                  If i recall such a system would affect the present balance of power. It would force the Paks & China to work to counter act such a development. Would the result then be better than the status quo or not is the question.
                  Last edited by Double Edge; 24 Nov 12,, 10:16.

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