A missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport early Sunday, raising serious questions about the reliability of both Israel’s Arrow and the U.S.-deployed THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense systems after both reportedly failed to intercept the threat.
According to defense officials cited by Israeli news agency Ynet, an Arrow interceptor was first launched at the incoming Houthi missile but failed to hit the target. After the Arrow system missed, a THAAD interceptor was deployed as a secondary defense, but it also failed to intercept the missile.
Reports indicate that the missile struck a grassy area near Ben Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3, causing damage to sections of the road and leaving a deep crater near the parking lot.
The U.S. THAAD system, deployed to Israel in October 2024, is designed to intercept short- to medium-range missiles during their terminal phase. Meanwhile, Israel’s Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 systems target long-range missile threats and are capable of intercepting missiles both within and outside Earth’s atmosphere.
Introducing the Arrow Aerial Defense System—Israel’s most advanced interceptor. pic.twitter.com/zFFb3SNRdi
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 22, 2023
According to Houthi-affiliated media reports, the ballistic missile that struck Ben Gurion Airport was a new model designed to evade radar detection.
However, Israeli officials said the missile was not unusual and that similar projectiles had been intercepted before. The Israel Defense Forces claims a 95% interception rate against Houthi missiles and drones since October 2023.
An investigation is currently underway to determine whether the failure to intercept the missile was due to human error or a technical malfunction.
Meanwhile, analysts from the Bulgarian Military noted that while Israeli officials denied the missile was a new variant, the possibility remains that Iran may have made subtle upgrades to enhance the Houthi missiles’ ability to evade detection.
They noted that Tehran has provided the Houthis with advanced missile components and technical expertise, allowing them to target locations up to 1,700 kilometers from Yemen.
The group’s arsenal reportedly includes missiles such as the Ghadr-F, an Iranian design with a claimed range of 1,950 kilometers, which experts suggest could put all of Israel within reach.
Some small thread on Houthis parade in Sanaa.
It seems that under the name Toufan, Iranian MRBMs from the Ghadr family were shown in Yemen in first time.
Probably Ghadr-F, since with range near 2000 km it will be the longest-range missile in the Houthi arsenal. pic.twitter.com/WdrPxhaXCL— Yuri Lyamin (@imp_navigator) September 21, 2023
