by Aharon Lapidot
The hidden threat in
the M-302 missiles intercepted by our forces on board the Klos-C ship is
buried in their characteristics: These are precise, far-range missiles
that have a range of 100 kilometers (60 miles) and in some models, 200
kilometers (120 miles), that carry a serious explosives payload of over
150 kilos (330 pounds). The weapons were manufactured in Syria and
smuggled through Iran toward Gaza.
If they were launched
from Gaza, where they were originally headed -- most residential areas
in Israel, from the coastal city of Hadera in the north to substantial
chunks of the Negev in the south, comprising millions of Israeli
citizens, would be in their range.
Because of their large
warheads, the missiles would cause greater substantial damage than the
rockets currently being fired at Israel. This may not be a game changer,
but it is not an exaggeration to call them strategic weapons compared
to the ones Hamas and other jihadist organizations in Gaza currently
have. Incidentally, a few missiles of this kind were already fired at
Israel by Hezbollah during the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Another problem Israel
faces in dealing with these missiles is the fact that our interception
systems -- like David's Sling -- is still under development and has yet
to become operational.
With our three layers of
protection against ballistic missiles operating in Israel, the M-302
missiles are too fast and have too long a range for the Iron Dome
anti-missile defense system -- and too short a range for the Arrow
missile defense system. They work in the exact middle range where the
David's Sling system is supposed to operate.
Aharon Lapidot
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=7601
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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