Iran attacked Israel’s main cities with no less than 180 ballistic missiles on Tuesday night.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) mentioned the missiles had been fired as Tehran’s response to the killings of civilians in Gaza and extra not too long ago, in Lebanon, in Israeli assaults – in addition to the assassinations of leaders of the IRGC, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The IRGC mentioned the missiles had been particularly geared toward three navy bases in Tel Aviv. Iranian state media mentioned that the nation used Fatah hypersonic ballistic missiles for the primary time, a declare Al Jazeera was unable to independently confirm.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation, saying that Iran had “made a giant mistake” and “can pay for it”.
The USA mentioned it helped Israel thwart Iran’s assault, pledging assist for its ally to hit again at Iran.
“We’re happy with the actions that we’ve taken alongside Israel to guard and defend Israel. We’ve made clear that there can be penalties — extreme penalties — for this assault, and we’ll work with Israel to make that the case,” US Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan mentioned on Tuesday.
As Israel and Iran — longtime foes who for many years have engaged in proxy battles — more and more head in the direction of a direct confrontation, we check out their respective navy capabilities, their skills to assault one another, and the way they may defend their territories.
Variety of troopers
In keeping with The Navy Steadiness 2023, revealed by the United Kingdom-based suppose tank the Worldwide Institute for Strategic Research (IISS):
Iran has 610,000 energetic personnel, together with 350,000 within the military, 190,000 within the IRGC, 18,000 within the navy, 37,000 within the air pressure and 15,000 in air defence. Iran moreover has a reserve military of 350,000. Conscription is obligatory for Iranian males over 18, with a couple of exemptions.
Israel has 169,500 energetic personnel, together with 126,000 within the military, 9,500 within the navy and 34,000 within the air pressure. Israel has a reserve military of 465,000. Israel mandates conscription of most younger women and men over 18, with sure exemptions.
Navy spending
In keeping with a reality sheet revealed by the Stockholm Worldwide Peace Analysis Institute (SIPRI) in April 2024:
Iran spent $10.3bn in 2023, a 0.6 p.c enhance from 2022.
Israel spent $27.5bn in 2023, a 24 p.c enhance from 2022 — a surge partially fuelled by the warfare on Gaza following October 7.
Floor forces
In keeping with The Navy Steadiness 2023:
Iran has over 10,513 battle tanks, greater than 6,798 artillery weapons and greater than 640 armoured private carriers. The military additionally has 50 helicopters whereas the IRGC has 5 helicopters.
Israel has round 400 battle tanks, 530 artillery weapons and greater than 1,190 private carriers.
Air pressure
In keeping with The Navy Steadiness 2023:
Iran: The air pressure has 312 combat-capable plane and the IRGC has one other 23. The air pressure has two assault helicopters, the military has 50 and the IRGC has 5.
Israel has 345 combat-capable plane and 43 assault helicopters.
Navy
In keeping with The Navy Steadiness 2023:
Iran has 17 tactical submarines, 68 patrols and coastal combatants, seven corvettes, 12 touchdown ships, 11 touchdown craft, 18 logistics and assist gear.
Israel has 5 submarines and 49 patrol and coastal combatants.
Air defence techniques
In keeping with The Navy Steadiness 2023:
Israel’s air defence depends on what is called the Iron Dome system, which is believed to have intercepted most of Iran’s missiles on Tuesday night time. The system is supplied with a radar that detects an incoming projectile, its pace and its path. The management centre then calculates whether or not the projectile poses a risk to Israeli cities. The projectiles that don’t pose a risk are allowed to land in empty fields. In the event that they pose a risk, the missile-firing unit launches missiles to shoot them down. The launcher accommodates 20 interceptor missiles.
There are 10 Iron Dome batteries scattered round Israel. Different techniques intercept medium and long-range missiles. The David’s Sling intercepts missiles ranging between 40km (25 miles) and 300km (186 miles). The Arrow System intercepts missiles with a variety of as much as 2,400km (1,491 miles).
Iran: In February, Iran deployed the short-range, low-altitude Azarakhsh, which implies “thunderbolt” in Persian. It’s an infrared detection system, geared up with radar and electro-optic techniques to detect and intercept targets. It may be mounted on automobiles.
Iran has a variety of various surface-to-air missile defence techniques. These embrace the over 42 long-range Russian-manufactured S-200s, S-300s and native Bavar-373; the over 59 medium-range US MIM-23 Hawk, HQ-2J and Khordad-15; and the 279 short-range Chinese language-manufactured CH-SA-4 and 9K331 Tor-M1.
Ballistic missiles
In keeping with the Missile Protection Mission of the US-based suppose tank the Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research (CSIS):
Iran has no less than 12 various kinds of medium-range and short-range ballistic missiles in its arsenal. These vary from the Tondar 69, which has a variety of 150km (93 miles) to the Khorramshahr and Sejjil, which each vary as much as 2,000km (1,243 miles).
Israel has no less than 4 various kinds of small, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, starting from the LORA with a variety of 280km (174 miles) to the Jericho-3 with a variety between 4,800km (2,983 miles) and 6,500km (4,039 miles).
Nuclear capabilities
Israel is estimated to have 90 nuclear warheads in its stockpile, in line with the US-based Arms Management Affiliation.
Iran just isn’t believed to have nuclear weapons, but it surely has a sophisticated nuclear programme and operates a number of nuclear services and analysis centres. Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei banned the manufacturing of weapons in a non secular edict or fatwa within the early 2000s, saying it’s forbidden in Islam. Nonetheless, in Might, Iran did threaten to vary its nuclear doctrine “ought to Iran’s existence be threatened”.
