Israel's Iron Dome: a global game changer?

But why is Iron Dome a global game changer?

Bear in mind that an essential component of Iron Dome is its ability to recognise when an incoming missile will do little or no damage. If your missile is headed for an open field Iron Dome will ignore it.

However a sprawling city like Tel Aviv presents a huge target. Even a missile with a primitive guidance system would find it difficult to miss a target that size. Each Iron Dome battery reportedly has to protect an area of 150 square kilometres

On the other hand a destroyer or aircraft carrier is a much smaller target. Further development of the kind of technology Iron Dome has proved feasible could be adapted to defend point targets.

The Chinese military have been counting on anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) to counter US naval power. ASBMs are long range ballistic missiles with terminal guidance sufficiently accurate to hit a ship in motion. Compared to defending a city the size of Tel Aviv defending a point target such as a single ship should be relatively easier. Only missiles likely to land sufficiently close to cause damage need be targeted.

Chinese military planners, like military planners everywhere, are going to have to rethink their strategic doctrines like in the light of Iron Dome's success.

Not so much Iron Dome itself as the technology it has demonstrated is a global game changer. Think of Iron Dome as being a technology demonstrator as well as a rather successful first generation missile defence system.

The Indian military is wasting no time. This from the Times of India:

India eyes Israel's Iron Dome to counter Pak, puppets

NEW DELHI: As Fajr V rockets rained down on Israel from battleground Gaza for a week, many Indian defense planners were keeping a close watch on the performance of Israel's Iron Dome…

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Several months ago, the military scientists in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had suggested that India look at a joint development programme with Israeli firms to develop an Indian version of Iron Dome, which is touted as the most effective system against short-range missiles such as Fajr V rockets. The Indian scientists believe Israel's plight has several parallels to its threat from Pakistan as well as the vulnerability of its cities from terrorists.

The Israelis are not standing still. Their next generation missile defence system, the "Stunner" is already undergoing testing in the Negev.

See:

Israel developing next-generation missile defense system with help from Raytheon

WASHINGTON - Israel's ability to shoot down hundreds of rockets fired by Hamas militants this past week has been hailed as a breakthrough in missile defense. But, military analysts warn, the real challenge is only beginning….

[…]

A critical test of the [new] system, called the Stunner, is set for Israel's Negev Desert in coming days.

Israelis are counting on the missile to become the centerpiece of their defense shield, known as David's Sling. US officials involved in the program and several independent specialists said the engineering challenge they face is aptly captured by the reference to the Old Testament mismatch between David and Goliath.