RIM-161 SM-3 AEGIS BMD for Israel
In September 2009 the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) stated that it believed land-based SM-3 could provide Israel with a near-term solution to counter the ballistic missile threat from Iran and placed $50 million in the fiscal year 2010 budget to continue development of the system. In 2003, Raytheon Missile Systems recognized the need to develop and deploy a land-based variant of Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) and has been pursuing the concept largely using its own funding for five years.
Because the land-based concept integrates an existing set of components - the SM-3 missile, the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and the AN-TPY-2 radar - it's an affordable, low-risk option for a very real threat. By using existing, proven, cost-effective Raytheon technologies, the company has also eliminated critical research and development costs. Raytheon has already tested and proved that compatibility of the missile engagement logic works with the THAAD fire control system.
"Land-based SM-3 would add additional depth of fire for those nations that already possess terminal phase defenses, allow for more sophisticated engagement strategies and reduce vulnerability to countermeasures, forcing an enemy to alter or abandon tactics to penetrate the defensive system," said Mike Booen, Raytheon's vice president of Advanced Security and Directed Energy Systems. "With the SM-3 production line operational and some integration work already completed, with adequate funding we could trial the Land Based SM-3 system one year before the MDA's notional initial operating capability of 2014."
Developing and fielding a system from scratch could take 10 or more years and cost more than $1 billion. SM-3 is a proven and mature system already deployed on U.S. and Japanese ships worldwide. The AN/TPY-2 X-band radar is proven and deployed in Israel and Japan and is part of THAAD System. Land-based SM-3, along with sea-based SM-3, has applicability worldwide and could provide regional ballistic missile defense in the Middle East, Europe and the Pacific.
Israel did not acquire the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, primarily because it has developed its own highly capable missile defense architecture that suits its unique security environment. Israel has developed a sophisticated multi-tiered missile defense network that already covers a broad spectrum of threats:
- Iron Dome: Targets short-range rockets and artillery.
- David’s Sling: Designed to intercept medium-range missiles and cruise missiles.
- Arrow 2 and Arrow 3: Specifically developed to counter long-range ballistic missile threats, including exo-atmospheric interception, which overlaps with the capabilities of Aegis BMD.
Israel’s Arrow 3, which is co-developed with the United States, provides many of the same capabilities as Aegis BMD in terms of intercepting long-range ballistic missiles at high altitudes and in space. As a result, Israel's defense planners likely see limited added value in acquiring the Aegis system.
The Aegis BMD system is typically deployed on naval vessels like destroyers and cruisers equipped with the Aegis Combat System. It is designed to protect naval task forces and regional areas from ballistic missile threats. Israel, while it has a small navy, relies more on land-based missile defense systems due to the limited range of threats it faces. Israel's missile defense architecture is focused on defending its territory from rocket and missile fire from Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and potentially Iran, rather than protecting naval assets at sea. Israel does not have the same kind of naval force as the U.S. or other countries that operate the Aegis BMD system on a large scale. This makes Aegis less critical for Israel compared to other countries that rely heavily on maritime defense.
The U.S. and Israel have a long-standing defense partnership, with joint funding and development of several missile defense systems. Arrow, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome were all developed in collaboration with the U.S. (specifically with U.S. defense contractor Raytheon for David’s Sling). The Arrow system, particularly the Arrow 3, shares similarities with Aegis BMD in its ability to intercept ballistic missiles in the exo-atmosphere, making it a land-based alternative to the naval Aegis BMD system. The Arrow 3 is optimized for Israel’s specific threat environment and defense needs.
Israel's geographical constraints limit the utility of a sea-based missile defense system like Aegis BMD. Its small size and the proximity of threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Iran make land-based defense systems more practical and effective. Israel focuses on defending its civilian population centers, military bases, and key infrastructure from missile threats. While naval defense is important, it does not play as central a role in Israel's defense strategy as in countries with large naval forces or broader maritime interests.
Aegis BMD is a highly advanced and expensive system to procure, operate, and maintain. Israel has opted to invest in its indigenous missile defense systems, which are cost-effective and tailored to the country's specific security needs. Israel's defense budget is finite, and the country prioritizes spending on systems that address its most pressing threats, primarily short- and medium-range missile and rocket attacks, as well as long-range ballistic missile threats from Iran. Israel’s homegrown systems are already highly effective in addressing these challenges.
Although Israel has not acquired Aegis BMD, the U.S. Navy operates Aegis-equipped ships in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf, providing an additional layer of missile defense for Israel and other U.S. allies in the region. This allows Israel to benefit from Aegis capabilities without having to purchase and maintain the system itself. The X-band radar system installed in Israel by the U.S. provides early warning of missile launches, further enhancing Israel’s missile defense posture. This radar system is interoperable with U.S. missile defense assets, including Aegis.
Israel has not acquired the Aegis BMD system because it has developed a highly capable, land-based, multi-tiered missile defense network that effectively addresses its unique security needs. Systems like Arrow 3 provide capabilities similar to Aegis BMD, while Iron Dome and David’s Sling address shorter-range threats. Israel’s defense strategy is primarily land-based, with less emphasis on naval operations, making the acquisition of Aegis BMD less necessary. Moreover, Israel benefits from close defense cooperation with the U.S., including the presence of Aegis-equipped ships in the region and advanced radar systems.
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