IDF conducts massive Iron Dome & Patriot Drill – see video

IDF conducts Massive missile defense drill in the presence of a US and Greek military delegations.

According to a senior officer the drill was one of the biggest missile defense drill in the world ever done and includes lessons learned the recent firings on southern Israel and  the missile that landed in the Sharon area north of Tel-Aviv, and somehow penetrated the aerial defense.

The other systems not in the drill were the Arrow 2 & 3 for out of atmosphere interception, against ballistic missiles, and the David’s Sling for medium range, cruise and jets.

Actual photo of the Iron Dome in the drill – the presence of patriot taking part n the drill means cheaper costs and better efficiency

Patriot launched – adding the Patriot to Israels missile shield is meant to close tiny gaps and optimize war economics (Photo Credit: Avihai Sror, Israeli Air Force)

Our Analysis: the very interesting thing here is that the IDF did enough upgrades to apparently allow the patriot into its missile defense net and NOT only to use it as an Anti-Aircraft system. That, in turn, means that the Patriot –  because it is much cheaper than the David sling, will intercept some missiles which the David’s sling was intended for – because of its cost benefit- but which are simultaneously too high for the Iron dome and this exercise allows these two systems to train together and improve cohesion and coordination. Adding the patriot to its missile defense net means another upgrade in optimization of Israels shield and, more importantly, another reduction of its war economics cost.