Netanyahu Reveals Weakness In Israel’s Highly Praised Multilayer Air Defense System: Analysis

According to the Jerusalem post, by asking US President Donald Trump to delay any attacks on Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed a surprising weakness in Israel’s otherwise highly praised multilayer air defense system. Despite the IDF sending out “more than half a dozen messages” in recent days about how ready it was and how strong its air defense capabilities are, Netanyahu privately expressed the opposite to Trump, raising concerns about Israel’s readiness.

The revelation comes after a series of Iranian ballistic missile attacks in 2024-2025, which Israel successfully intercepted using its advanced technology. Even so, Netanyahu reportedly felt the country might not be fully prepared for another major strike. “Put bluntly: Israel managed to defend itself against Iran three times in 2024-2025 because its technology is the best it’s been in decades; Tehran’s ballistic missiles capability is now weaker than it’s been in decades; and Trump had an opportunity to possibly topple Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; yet Netanyahu was so worried about Israel getting hit that he asked to call it off?” analysts note.

Part of the issue, experts say, is not technology but volume. Israel’s Arrow missile interceptors, essential for countering ballistic missiles, had yet to be fully replenished following the June 2025 Iran war. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic’s missile supply, reduced by airstrikes and previous conflicts, could rebuild over time. Adding to the concern, US defenses were not deployed at the same scale as in prior engagements, leaving Israel feeling militarily vulnerable.

This episode highlights a gap between Israel’s public image of readiness and the private calculations of its leaders. While Israel can produce interceptors faster than Iran can build missiles, until production scales up, the country may remain cautious about provoking Tehran. Netanyahu’s private caution underscores the delicate balance Israel maintains in projecting strength while managing real vulnerabilities in its defenses.

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