The role of the defense system has been a heated military and political topic for several decades. Every country in the world wants to have the top most air defense system to remain in power. Therefore, a large sum of money is always given to the research department.
The term “air defense system” broadly means any mechanism which can detect and then destroy a missile in the air before it can cause any harm is called an air defense system. Let’s get to know some of the powerful air defense systems and the country that developed them.
1. HQ-9
HQ-9 is a long-range surface-to-air missile. It is also an anti-satellite weapon as well as an anti-ballistic missile. The Hong Qi-9 has an anti-radiation variant. It is a Chinese Air Defense Missile System. Its operational range is 200km (FD- 2000 version), 250km (HQ-9A version), 300+ km for HQ-9B version. It is in service from 1997 till the present. The manufacturer is China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation. Its maximum speed is Mach 4.2. It has inertial guidance with a mid-course update and terminal active radar homing.
2. S 500 System
The S-500 Prometey also known as 55R6M” Trimfator-M”. It is a Russian surface-to-air missile also an anti-ballistic missile system. It is under development by the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern. Its operational range is 600 km. It is designed to destroy ICBM, Hypersonic Missiles, 5th generation Aircraft, AWACS Aircrafts, Low Orbiting Satellites, and Space Weapons. It will engage and destroy 10 ballistic hypersonic targets. Its response time is 3-4 seconds. It can destroy nuclear warheads only with its impact force.
3. Iron Dome
Israel’s Iron Dome defense system has been developed jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense System. Iron Dome is supposed to be a short-range ground-to-air defense system of uptown 70km. It has a Tamir interceptor and radar which helps in tracking and destroying any missile or any airborne system that will enter the airspace. The Iron Dome is the mobile variant with all components on a single truck.
4. Barak 8
Barak 8 is an Indo-Israeli surface-to-air missile, designed to defend against any type of airborne threat including aircraft helicopters, anti-ship missiles, and UAVs as well as ballistic missiles. Cruise missiles and combat jets. Its maximum speed is Mach 2. It can engage multiple targets at the same time during day and night in all weather conditions. It is used by the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Israeli Navy, and Azerbaijan Air Force. Its manufacturer is Bharat Dynamics Limited and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
5. Arrow 3/ Hetz 3
Arrow 3 is an exo-atmospheric hypersonic anti-ballistic missile, jointly funded, developed, and produced by Israel and the United States. The manufacturer is Israel Aerospace Industries. The Arrow modular air defense air system detects, tracks intercept, and destroys incoming TBMs.
