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Israel MOD Concludes Evaluation of Advanced Systems Performance in Operation Rising Lion

Israel Ministry of Defense

1/7/2025

In a briefing led by the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) Director, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold, the Ministry has released its assessment of Operation Rising Lion:

• Israel's multi-layered air and missile defense architecture, developed by the DDR&D, prevented more than $15 billion (over ₪50 billion) in property damage while safeguarding countless lives from ballistic missiles and UAV attacks.
• The UAV Array achieved unprecedented reach, with continuous long-distance deployment logging thousands of flight hours and executing over 500 strikes and interdictions within Iran.
• Comprehensive space-based intelligence gathering captured tens of millions of square kilometers through day-night surveillance, producing over 12,000 satellite images of Iranian territory.
• Israeli-developed weapon systems, developed by the DDR&D and the Israeli defense industry, proved instrumental in the preemptive strike and throughout the operation, delivering tactical surprise and air superiority over Iran.
• Advanced capabilities, including digital, AI, and electronic warfare (EW), demonstrated exceptional performance across all operational systems.

The DDR&D has spearheaded research, development, and technological advancement for the IDF over recent decades in partnership with military branches, ministry departments, and defense industries. This effort intensified during the accelerated military buildup leading up to Operation Rising Lion across five main fields: Air Defense, UAVs, Space, Fighter Aircraft Armaments and Protection Systems, and AI and Digital. Several weapon systems deployed for the first time in the preemptive strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic missile infrastructure represent decades of targeted development specifically designed for these missions.

The Ministry's DDR&D Main Efforts:

Israel's Missile Defense Organization (IMDO)

• 86% of ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory were successfully intercepted. Enhanced Arrow system versions have been integrated over the recent months, and the last one was even a week before the operation.
• Air defense systems prevented damage potential seven times greater than the actual damage sustained.
• System upgrades to Iron Dome and David's Sling, combined with a breakthrough Iron Dome test against drone swarms conducted in March, alongside the IDF's unprecedented multi-layered air defense response, achieved over 99% interception of Iranian drones.

UAV Administration

• The UAV Array achieved unprecedented reach, with continuous long-distance deployment logging thousands of flight hours and executing over 500 strikes and interdictions within Iran.
• UAV operation minimized risk to combat pilots while conducting missile launcher hunts, saving numerous lives and preventing extensive damage to the State of Israel.
• Combined with the Swords of Iron War, UAV missions accounted for 60% of total Air Force flight hours and 50% of all IDF strike operations.

Space Administration

• Tens of millions of square kilometers were captured in high-resolution imagery day and night. Satellite systems also delivered critical communications infrastructure with high availability to support the operation.
• During the operation, hundreds of thousands of square kilometers were surveilled, providing the IDF with hundreds of targets through covert collection without exposing personnel. High-frequency intelligence gathering operated continuously, enabling rapid target engagement.
• Over 12,000 satellite images were captured across Iranian territory, with satellite assets supporting strike missions and identifying thousands of targets.

Research and Development (R&D) Division

• During the initial strikes and throughout the operation to establish air superiority over Tehran, the Air Force extensively deployed various armaments. These weapon systems, developed over the years by the DDR&D and defense industries, proved decisive in achieving tactical surprise and securing air dominance over Iran.
• The capability to precisely engage targets at extended range despite hostile electronic warfare environments represents a unique Israeli technological achievement developed over many years.
• Israeli combat aircraft operated over Iranian airspace, equipped with domestically developed defensive systems against enemy missile threats.