Iran launched its Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles at Israel, claiming they broke through the country’s missile defence systems. The attack marked a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between the two nations, but military experts remain doubtful about the missile's true capabilities.
Iran’s military issued a strong statement after the launch, calling the missiles “powerful and maneuverable,” and saying they had sent a clear message to Israel and its allies.
The Fattah-1 missiles, according to Iran, reached speeds up to Mach 15—fifteen times the speed of sound—and had a range of 1,400 kilometers. Tehran claimed the missiles were able to bypass Western air defence systems.
Hypersonic missiles are designed to travel at speeds over Mach 5 while remaining agile enough to avoid interception. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, true hypersonic weapons need advanced guidance systems and the ability to change course mid-air. This makes them harder to detect and stop.
Iran introduced the Fattah-1 missile in 2022, joining a small group of nations that possess hypersonic technology. However, defence analysts argue that most of the missiles used in the recent attack lacked the agility needed to qualify as true hypersonic weapons.
According to Israeli officials, Iran fired over 400 missiles in total, but only 40 reached their targets in Israel. The Iron Dome and Arrow defence systems were reported to have intercepted around 90% of the incoming missiles.
Critics suggest that Iran focused heavily on the speed of the Fattah-1, but not enough on its manoeuvrability. Without the ability to shift direction in flight, the missile becomes easier for defence systems to intercept.
Despite the limitations of the Fattah-1, Iran possesses more advanced missiles in its arsenal. The Khorramshahr and Fattah-2 are equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles—warheads that allow for sharp, unpredictable movements at high speed. These missiles could pose a more serious threat to Israeli and American missile shields.
The Fattah-2 has not yet been used in battle. However, if deployed, it could be significantly harder to intercept than its predecessor. As tensions continue in the region, the development and deployment of hypersonic weapons are likely to influence future military strategies on both sides.
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