The skies above Israel and Lebanon have turned a menacing yellow as the two nations engage in a fierce exchange of airstrikes. With Israel announcing a “limited, localised and targeted” ground operation in Lebanon, Hezbollah responded with its own aerial attacks, escalating the conflict to one of the most “dangerous phases” in its history.
On Tuesday, October 1st, air raid sirens wailed across Tel Aviv, Israel, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting three projectiles launched by Hezbollah. These recent strikes, coupled with those over the past ten days, have once again thrust the Lebanese-based militant group’s formidable missile arsenal into the spotlight. Let’s delve into the specific rockets Hezbollah has deployed against Israel in recent days.
Fadi Missiles: A Tactical Threat
Hezbollah, in its own statement, declared the launch of “salvoes of Fadi 4 rockets” targeting the Glilot base, home to Israel’s 8200 intelligence unit, and the Mossad headquarters on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. This attack echoed a similar one the previous week, where Fadi rockets were used to strike Israel’s Rafael military industry complexes in northern Israel, in retaliation for a series of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies found in Lebanon. This marked the first time Hezbollah employed these rockets since Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel, igniting the ongoing war in Gaza.
But how powerful are these Fadi missiles? Experts classify them as tactical, multi-use ground-to-ground rockets. They are named in honor of Fadi Hassan Tawil, a Hezbollah militant killed by Israel in 1987. Defense specialists note that the Fadi 1 variant, spanning six meters in length, boasts a 220 mm caliber and carries a payload of 83 kilograms. The Fadi-2, while matching the size, increases the caliber to 302 mm, with a 170-kg payload and a range of 100 kilometers.
Many believe the Fadi missiles are variants of the Syrian version of the Soviet 9M27 rocket, a component of the Uragan multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Notably, the first deployment of Fadi missiles occurred during Israel’s 2006 invasion of Lebanon.
Nour Missile: A Low-Flying Threat
On Monday, September 30th, Hezbollah announced it had fired a Nour missile at the Israeli border community of Kfar Giladi. The IDF confirmed one projectile launched from Lebanon struck an open area near the community, causing no injuries. This marked the first Nour missile attack against Israel since the eruption of hostilities.
The Nour missile is an Iranian cruise rocket designed for anti-ship combat – an enhanced version of the Chinese C801 and C802 missiles. Measuring 6.38 meters long and with a diameter of 36 centimeters, the Nour missile possesses a range of up to 170 kilometers. Fueled by solid fuel, it can travel at an estimated speed of 0.9 Mach. According to Boaz Shapira, a researcher at the Alma Research and Education Centre, the Nour’s ability to fly low makes it difficult to detect on radar, rendering it a formidable weapon.
Qader-1 Missile: A Long-Range Threat
On September 25th, Hezbollah employed its Qader-1 missile against Israel, aiming for the Mossad headquarters on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. In its statement, Hezbollah attributed the attack to the alleged planning of assassinations of its top commanders and the exploding pager attacks at this location.
The Qader-1 missile types are Iranian long-range surface-to-surface missiles, first unveiled in 2007. They are considered the most advanced and upgraded version of the Shahab-3 ballistic missile. The weapon, boasting a range of 200 to 300 kilometers, is known for its accuracy and payload capacity. Its warhead weighs between 700 to 1,000 kilograms. Reports suggest it utilizes a combination of liquid and solid fuel, resulting in a trajectory similar to ballistic missiles.
Experts highlight that the Qader missiles are equipped with guidance systems and other advanced electronics, setting them apart from unguided rocket artillery like Katyusha and Fadi. While Hezbollah successfully launched the Qader-1 missile, Israel intercepted it with the aid of its Arrow defense system.
A Vast Arsenal
While Hezbollah has employed Fadi, Nour, and Qader missiles from its arsenal, it possesses an estimated 150,000 missiles and rockets, according to the World Factbook of the US Central Intelligence Agency. A report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies suggests that Hezbollah possesses 40,000 to 80,000 short-range unguided rockets with ranges of up to 20 kilometers, and 60,000 to 80,000 long-range rockets capable of reaching distances of up to 100 kilometers. Additionally, it is equipped with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with an estimated arsenal of at least 2,000 UAVs.
Analysts claim that the majority of Hezbollah’s missiles are Katyusha-style missiles with a range of 30 kilometers. Hezbollah also possesses other Iranian-made missiles such as Raad (Arabic for Thunder), Fajr (Dawn), and Zilzal (Earthquake) rockets, which boast a more powerful payload and longer range than Katyushas.
Defense experts point out that Hezbollah’s extensive arsenal of rockets empowers the group to launch hundreds, even thousands, of projectiles per day, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.
As the conflict continues, the intensity of missile exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah serves as a stark reminder of the region’s volatile landscape and the potential for further escalation. The diverse and growing arsenal of Hezbollah poses a formidable challenge for Israel, requiring strategic and defensive responses to counter its potential impact.
