Israel Reports 86% Interception Rate in Iran War - Seeks Major Defense Budget Increase

A week after the conclusion of the 12-Day War with Iran, Israel's defense establishment revealed that approximately 86% of the 550 ballistic missiles launched from Iran were successfully intercepted. Defense officials attribute this success to the country’s multi-layered missile defense systems, including Arrow 3, David’s Sling, and U.S.-supplied THAAD and Aegis systems.

The Wall Administration, part of Israel’s Ministry of Defense responsible for missile defense development, estimates that these interceptions prevented between 50–70 billion shekels in property damage — as much as seven times the actual damage caused by missiles that penetrated the defense systems.

Major Hits on Strategic Sites Despite Successes

Despite the high interception rate, several Iranian missiles struck critical targets, killing around 30 civilians and military personnel. Warheads weighing hundreds of kilograms caused widespread destruction in residential neighborhoods and at key infrastructure sites.

• At the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, a missile destroyed laboratories and buildings, causing an estimated 2 billion shekels in damage.

• A strike on the Bazan oil refinery in Haifa Bay halted operations and resulted in three deaths.

• Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and Ben-Gurion University also sustained direct hits.

Missile Defense Upgrades Preceded War

In the days leading up to Operation Am Kalavi — Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Iran — the Arrow missile system was upgraded, based on lessons learned from earlier missile barrages in April and October 2024. Security sources said Israel had prepared for a more intense missile threat and had not reached critical limits in its interceptor stockpile.

Moshe Fattal, head of the Wall Administration, noted that Israel has accelerated the production of all interceptor missiles across its defense layers. This includes a full U.S.-based production line for Iron Dome interceptors, and further investments in robotic production techniques domestically.

UAVs Play Critical Role in Iran Operation

The Israeli Air Force also employed UAVs to prevent missile launches and neutralize threats in Iranian territory. Israeli-developed Heron TP (IAI) and Hermes 900 (Elbit Systems) drones attacked around 500 targets during the conflict.

“We brought Gaza to Iran,” said Danny Gold, head of the Ministry of Defense’s MAPAT (Weapons Development Directorate).
A security source described the UAVs as a “lethal hunting machine,” saying their constant presence instilled fear among Iranian launch crews.

In some cases, drones destroyed launch systems before missiles could be fired, saving Israel the much higher cost of intercepting missiles in-flight.

99% of Iranian Drones Intercepted

During the war, 1,000 Iranian UAVs were launched at Israel. 99% were intercepted, using a mix of fighter jets, attack helicopters, Iron Dome systems, and electronic warfare. This high success rate was a significant improvement from the early stages of the Iron Swords War, when drones from Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels penetrated Israeli airspace, killing soldiers and civilians.

Defense Ministry Seeks NIS 60 Billion Budget Hike

In the aftermath of the war, the Defense Ministry is demanding a 60 billion shekel increase to its budget, citing the need to:

• Replenish interceptor stockpiles

• Purchase new drones

• Invest in satellites, space capabilities, and next-generation defense technologies

Defense officials argue that the war with Iran exposed the growing need for rapid force build-up to maintain Israel’s strategic edge.

However, the Finance Ministry strongly opposes the budget request, accusing the defense establishment of uncontrolled procurement and fiscal irresponsibility. It warns that meeting such demands could result in a “lost decade” for Israel’s economy, with public funds diverted from essential civil sectors.

As part of the ongoing standoff, the Finance Ministry has refused to authorize new production orders for several defense projects in recent weeks, delaying procurement and raising concerns within the defense sector.