Iran attacked Israel’s main cities with at the least 180 ballistic missiles on Tuesday evening.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated the missiles have been fired as Tehran’s response to killings of civilians in Gaza and, extra just lately, Lebanon, Israeli assaults, in addition to assassinations of leaders. of the IRGC, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The IRGC stated the missiles have been particularly aimed toward three army bases in Tel Aviv. Iranian state media stated the nation used Fatah’s hypersonic ballistic missiles for the primary time, a declare Al Jazeera couldn’t independently confirm.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation and stated Iran had “made an enormous mistake” and “pays for it.”
The USA stated it helped Israel thwart Iran’s assault and pledged help to its ally in counterattacking Iran.
“We’re pleased with the actions we have now taken alongside Israel to guard and defend Israel. “We’ve got made clear that there might be penalties, severe penalties, for this assault, and we’ll work with Israel to make that occur,” US nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Tuesday.
As Israel and Iran – long-standing enemies which have engaged in proxy battles for many years – more and more head towards direct confrontation, we take a look at their respective army capabilities, their talents to assault one another, and the way they could defend their territories.
Variety of troopers
Based on The Army Stability 2023, revealed by the UK-based suppose tank the Worldwide Institute for Strategic Research (IISS):
Iran It has 610,000 energetic personnel, of which 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 protection. Iran additionally has a 350,000-strong reserve military. Conscription is necessary for Iranian males over the age of 18, with some exceptions.
Israel It 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 folks. Israel requires army conscription of most younger women and men over the age of 18, with sure exemptions.
army spending
Based on a truth sheet revealed by the Stockholm Worldwide Peace Analysis Institute (SIPRI) in April 2024:
Iran spent $10.3 billion in 2023, a rise of 0.6 % from 2022.
Israel It spent $27.5 billion in 2023, a 24 % enhance from 2022, a rise pushed partially by the struggle in Gaza after October 7.
Floor forces
Based on The Army Stability 2023:
Iran It has greater than 10,513 battle tanks, greater than 6,798 artillery weapons and greater than 640 armored personnel carriers. The military additionally has 50 helicopters, whereas the IRGC has 5 helicopters.
Israel It has round 400 battle tanks, 530 artillery weapons and greater than 1,190 private automobiles.
air forces
Based on The Army Stability 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 It has 345 combat-capable plane and 43 assault helicopters.
Navy
Based on The Army Stability 2023:
Iran It has 17 tactical submarines, 68 patrol and coastal combatants, seven corvettes, 12 touchdown ships, 11 touchdown craft, 18 logistical and help groups.
Israel It has 5 submarines and 49 patrol and coastal combatants.
Air protection programs
Based on The Army Stability 2023:
from israel The air protection relies on what is named the Iron Dome system, which is believed to have intercepted most of Iran’s missiles on Tuesday evening. The system is provided with a radar that detects an incoming projectile, its pace and its course. The management middle then calculates whether or not the projectile poses a risk to Israeli cities. Shells that pose no risk can fall into empty fields. In the event that they pose a risk, the missile launch unit launches missiles to shoot them down. The launcher comprises 20 interceptor missiles.
There are 10 Iron Dome batteries unfold all through Israel. Different programs intercept medium- and long-range missiles. David’s Sling intercepts missiles ranging between 40 km (25 miles) and 300 km (186 miles). The Arrow system intercepts missiles with a spread of as much as 2,400 kilometers (1,491 miles).
Iran: In February, Iran deployed the short-range, low-altitude Azarakhsh, which implies “lightning bolt” in Persian. It’s an infrared detection system, outfitted with radar and electro-optical programs to detect and intercept targets. Might be mounted on automobiles.
Iran has a wide range of totally different surface-to-air missile protection programs. These embrace the greater than 42 Russian-made S-200s, S-300s and the native long-range Bavar-373; the greater than 59 American MIM-23 Hawk, HQ-2J and Khordad-15 medium vary; and the 279 CH-SA-4 and 9K331 Tor-M1 short-range plane manufactured in China.
ballistic missiles
Based on the Missile Protection Venture of the Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research (CSIS), based mostly in america:
Iran It has at the least 12 several types of medium- and short-range ballistic missiles in its arsenal. These vary from the Tondar 69, which has a spread of 150 kilometers (93 mi), to the Khorramshahr and Sejjil, which have a spread of as much as 2,000 kilometers (1,243 mi).
Israel It has at the least 4 several types of small, medium and intermediate vary ballistic missiles, starting from the LORA with a spread of 280 km (174 mi) to the Jericho-3 with a spread between 4,800 km (2,983 mi) and 6,500 km (4,039 miles). miles).
Nuclear capabilities
Israel It’s estimated to have 90 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, in response to the US-based Arms Management Affiliation.
Iran It’s not believed to have nuclear weapons, however has a complicated nuclear program and operates a number of nuclear amenities and analysis facilities. Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei banned weapons manufacturing in a spiritual edict, or fatwa, within the early 2000s, saying it was prohibited in Islam. Nevertheless, in Could, Iran threatened to vary its nuclear doctrine “if Iran’s existence was threatened.”
