Defense Capabilities & Limitations - Israel's missile defense systems, particularly the Aero interceptors, are facing capacity constraints due to high usage against Iranian attacks [1][2] - The US is assisting Israel with missile defense, but its interceptor resources are also limited, with approximately 600 THAAD interceptors procured to date [2][12] - Israel's interception rate for ballistic missiles is about 90%, with about 30 out of 370 missiles fired by Iran making an impact as of June 17th [6] - Aero3 interceptors have a range of about 1,500 meters and are crucial for countering long-range ballistic missiles [3] Strategic & Economic Factors - Defensive weapons like Aero interceptors are more complex and expensive to produce than offensive missiles, costing over $2 million a piece [8] - Israel has been targeting Iran's missile and drone capabilities on the ground to reduce the need for interception [9] - The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) dismantled more than one-third of Iran's missile launchers [10] Geopolitical Implications - The interceptor shortfall raises concerns about Israel's long-term ability to defend itself and its allies against Iran and its proxies [2][7] - The US has deployed THAAD systems and navy ships with SM2, SM3, and SM6 interceptors to augment Israel's defenses [11] - Analysts suggest a swift resolution to the conflict is necessary as neither the US nor Israel can sustain prolonged missile interception [13]