TEL AVIV (Agencies): Israel successfully defended itself against a barrage of drones and missiles from Iran on Saturday, but the defense reportedly came with a hefty price tag. The cost of interceptors, jet fuel, and other materials used to shoot down Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles amounted to approximately 4 billion to 5 billion shekels ($1.06 billion to $1.33 billion), according to Israeli Brigadier General Reem Aminoach. This estimate only includes Israel’s direct costs and does not account for the substantial weaponry utilized by the US and other allies in assisting with the defense.
Aminoach, who previously served as the financial advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated that West Jerusalem employed munitions such as Arrow and David’s Sling interceptor missiles, which cost about $3.5 million and $1 million per unit, respectively. The cost of sortie expenses for the fighter jets primarily responsible for shooting down the Iranian drones was also included in the estimate.
The general expressed concern over the disparity in costs, noting that it was significantly cheaper for Iran to launch the attack than for Israel to defend against it. He warned that Iran could potentially carry out 50 similar attacks in the future, which would strain Israel’s defense budget.
The IDF reported that they successfully intercepted 99% of the more than 300 kamikaze drones and missiles launched from Iranian territory. While all of the UAVs and cruise missiles were shot down, a few ballistic missiles managed to penetrate Israel’s defenses.
These projectiles landed at the Nevatim Airbase, causing only minor infrastructure damage. Drones launched by Iranian-backed militants in Iraq and Yemen failed to reach Israeli territory. The only reported casualty was a 10-year-old Bedouin Israeli girl who suffered a shrapnel wound while sleeping at her home in southern Israel.