US Tests Israel's Iron Dome Anti-Missile System, But China Has More Sophisticated Weapons

Anticipating China's attack, the US tests Israel's Iron Dome on the island of Guam (The Times of Israel)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) has reportedly tested the Iron Dome missile attack deterrent system developed by Israel. The tests were carried out on the Pacific island of Guam, which is home to a US military base. As is known, the distance between Guam and China is quite close.

According to the Wall Street Journal, trials of the Iron Dome in Guam are scheduled to continue through December. In addition, it is not known whether the test was successful or not.

Previously, the Iron Dome missile defense system had been used by Israel as a deterrent to missile attacks from Hamas militants. Iron Dome has managed to destroy thousands of makeshift projectiles released by Hamas forces in this decade.

As reported by Russia Today, Iron Dome is indeed capable of preventing short-range missiles, artillery shells, and drones. But the air defense system will be of little use against the hypersonic missile China has recently tested.

The Iron Dome test on Guam is part of the Pentagon's efforts to bolster defenses on the island, which is home to US military bases, amid heated conditions between China and Taiwan. In addition, China's influence continues to grow in the Pacific region.

The island of Guam is only 4,700 kilometers from China. Guam houses a number of US Navy and Air Force bases. There are 190,000 US civilians and soldiers. If a conflict between Washington and Beijing breaks out, it makes sense that China should target the island of Guam first.

For information, Iron Dome was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace industries. Iron Dome came into use in Israel in 2011. Over the years, the air attack deterrent system has been upgraded and expanded many times using US funding.

In September, the US Congress approved a $1 billion fund for Iron Dome. The decision was taken after the conflict between Hamas and Israel in May, in which thousands of projectiles aimed at Israel were unable to penetrate the Iron Dome defenses.

In 2019, Americans purchased two Iron Dome batteries from Israel, one of which was shipped to Guam and the other is in the US. The Iron Dome trial in Guam is not the first time for the US.

Previously, the Pentagon first conducted Iron Dome trials in the White Sands area of New Mexico this summer. The test was successful in bringing down targets including drones, as informed by the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

The use of the Iron Dome air attack deterrent system on Guam was officially announced by the US in October. The US military called the effort a "temporary, experimental" measure. They also explained that there was no shooting practice involving the Iron Dome.