Israel learned from Iran's missile attacks that it needs far more interceptors than expected. 'It's a race,' missile chief says.

Recent conflicts with Iran have revealed that Israel requires significantly more ballistic missile interceptors than previously anticipated, according to Moshe Patel, director of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization. Past assumptions regarding interceptor needs for high-intensity conflict have been discarded, with a new focus on increasing production to replenish stockpiles. Patel described this effort as "a race" against adversaries with high production capabilities. Israel's Arrow system, including Arrow 2 and Arrow 3, has been extensively used, battling hundreds of ballistic missiles over four rounds of fighting with Iran. The Israeli Defense Ministry plans to accelerate Arrow interceptor production, though specific figures were not provided. Each conflict has provided valuable data, informing and shaping Israel's ballistic missile defense, which has maintained an interception rate over 90% in recent operations. Patel noted, "Everybody now understands differently."