Israel has responded by advancing two parallel solutions – the Arrow 4 and the SkySonic Interceptor.
By Hezy Laing
Israel is confronting the global threat of hypersonic missiles with two groundbreaking systems: Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow 4 and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ SkySonic Interceptor, both designed to neutralize weapons traveling at speeds above Mach 5.
Hypersonic missiles, defined as weapons that travel at least five times the speed of sound, represent one of the most pressing challenges in modern warfare.
Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise missiles can maneuver unpredictably at altitudes between 20 and 70 kilometers, making them extremely difficult to track and intercept.
Their velocity, often exceeding 4,000 miles per hour, compresses reaction times to mere seconds and threatens to overwhelm existing missile defense networks.
Nations such as Russia and China have already deployed hypersonic systems, while Iran has claimed to be developing its own, raising alarm across the Middle East.
Israel has responded by advancing two parallel solutions.
The Arrow 4, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) under the leadership of CEO Boaz Levy, is the successor to the Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors.
Announced in 2021 and nearing operational readiness in 2025, Arrow 4 is designed to counter maneuverable hypersonic threats using an upgraded “shoot-look-shoot” operational theory.
It integrates improved sensors, faster propulsion, and enhanced targeting precision, enabling interception of missiles traveling at Mach 5 or higher.
In parallel, Rafael unveiled the SkySonic Interceptor in June 2023 at the Paris Air Show.
SkySonic is the world’s first dedicated hypersonic missile interceptor, engineered with exceptional maneuverability and synchronized sensor systems to predict and neutralize hypersonic trajectories.
Rafael’s CEO Yoav Har-Even emphasized that SkySonic was built on decades of operational experience, specifically to address threats that conventional air defense systems cannot handle.
Compared to the rest of the world, Israel is among the very few nations—alongside the United States and China—actively fielding hypersonic defense technology.
While most Western countries remain in research phases, Israel’s Arrow 4 and SkySonic are approaching deployment, positioning the country at the forefront of missile defense innovation.
This reflects Israel’s doctrine of maintaining a qualitative military edge, ensuring that its defense architecture can withstand the most advanced threats emerging in the 21st century.
