What has led to a surge in interest in air-launched ballistic missiles is Israel’s airstrikes on Iran on October 26

 

What has led to a surge in interest in air-launched ballistic missiles is Israel’s airstrikes on Iran on October 26. The precision and impact of the Israel Defense Force’s (IDF’s) attack have sparked a significant discussion. One section focused on the strategy, while the other section discussed Israel's successful utilization of air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBM). The deployment of ALBMs against Iran is expected to spark curiosity among other countries interested in obtaining such weapons, which are typically avoided by major powers in favor of cruise missiles and glide bombs.

The IDF reported that its raids on October 26 destroyed Iranian missile facilities and air defenses. Researchers also noted that satellite imagery revealed targeted buildings that were previously associated with Iran's nuclear program. Tehran protects these targets using a wide range of anti-aircraft systems, according to Justin Bronk, an expert in airpower and technology at London's Royal United Services Institute. Cruise missiles are more vulnerable to dense, integrated air defenses compared to ballistic missiles. However, ballistic missiles are frequently launched from established launch sites and typically lack the ability to alter their trajectory mid-flight. Specialists indicate that high-speed, incredibly precise air-launched ballistic missiles like the Israel Aerospace Industries Rampage overcome challenges encountered by ground-based ballistic missiles and air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs). These weapons utilize small wings to travel long distances and sustain altitude.

"The primary benefit of an ALBM compared to an ALCM is its speed in overcoming defenses," explained Jeffrey Lewis, who serves as the director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California. The negative aspect of accuracy appears to have been mostly resolved. Ground-launched ballistic missiles, which Iran has used to target Israel on two occasions this year, and which both Ukraine and Russia have utilized since Russia's invasion in 2022, are prevalent in the weapon stockpiles of numerous nations. Furthermore, cruise missiles are also like that.