Why is it in the news?
Intensified missile and drone exchanges highlighted the role of multi-layered air defence systems.
Strategic importance of interceptors and radar-based defence architecture came to the forefront.
Category: Defence
Important Points:
● Missile defence includes sensors, command centres and interceptors
● Hit-to-kill destroys via kinetic energy; proximity fuse uses shrapnel blast
● THAAD intercepts short/intermediate-range missiles in terminal phase
● Patriot system provides last-line defence against missiles and aircraft
● SM-3 (midcourse) and SM-6 (terminal phase) used by US Navy
● Israel deploys Arrow-2 & Arrow-3 (exo-atmospheric interception)
● Iron Dome intercepts short-range rockets and drones (80–97% success rate)
● Iron Beam uses directed-energy laser for low-cost interception
● Iran deploys Bavar-373, Sevom-e-Khordad and Tor-M1 systems