Inbar Space

Inside Turkey’s Ballistic Missile Program

Tal Inbar — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:11:54 +0000

Turkey’s ballistic missile program presents a strategic challenge for Israel and other countries in the region. The continued development and enhancement of Turkey’s missile capabilities require close monitoring and a reassessment of security threats

One of the most notable advancements in this field is the “Typhoon” missile. Often referred to as “Bora 2,” the missile features a unitary warhead configuration and four stabilizers at the rear. It utilizes GPS/GLONASS guidance combined with an inertial navigation system (INS).
Tal Inbar, an expert in strategic research on air, missile, and space systems, and Yair Ramati, chairman of RSL and former head of Israel’s HOMA missile defense program,

Israel Defense. Read the full article: https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/64336

Ynetnews: Israel’s missile defense under scrutiny: Successful Houthi strike on Jaffa raises questions

Tal Inbar — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 17:03:00 +0000

Over two days, two attempts to intercept Houthi missiles launched from Yemen failed. On the night between Wednesday and Thursday, the IDF claimed to have achieved a partial interception of the missile, though its warhead exploded and struck a school in Ramat Efal, near Tel Aviv. By the night between Friday and Saturday, it was already clear the interception attempt had failed: several interceptors launched at the ballistic missile missed their target, and it hit the center of a public park in Jaffa, injuring a dozen people and causing damage to nearby apartments.

The fire is scattered; I don’t see an escalation. But it’s evident that even a single missile heading toward central Israel sends many people into shelters. Every interception is analyzed. The more interceptors are deployed, the better the performance of the systems becomes.
I don’t know of a reliable source that can specify the number of missiles they possess, but we do know the types of missiles. Ultimately, this is Iranian import, guided deeply by them. Not only do we learn from interceptions, but so does the other side.
Tal Inbar, an expert in aviation, space and missile policy, and a senior research fellow at the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, during an interview with Ynet studio on Sunday morning.

ynetnews. Read the full article: https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/h1mzaprbyl

Missiles, intelligence and nukes: Iran’s arms race reaches space

Tal Inbar — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:39:00 +0000

Iran’s military ambitions are no secret, and its space program reflects its growing capabilities. Over the past two decades, Iran has developed and refined its space technology through two key channels: the Iranian Space Agency and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While the space agency focuses on civilian projects, the IRGC runs a separate, state-directed program that includes the development of advanced spy satellites and launch vehicles.

Iran has a space agency conducting intensified civilian and scientific activities, including developing various satellite launchers and satellites. Most Iranian satellite launchers are based on ballistic missile technology. The program began in the mid-1990s, with the first successful space launch in 2009.

The Revolutionary Guard is responsible for designing and launching both satellites and the missiles that carry them. They have conducted several successful launches and also procure surveillance satellites from Russia, with Russian assistance in launching them. At least one is operational, and more launches are planned for the future
Tal Inbar, a missile and space expert

Ynetnews. Read the full article: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkko9zsmyl

Expert suspects occular capability of Iranian-designed Hezbollah drone

Tal Inbar — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:29:00 +0000

n July 2024, a Houthi-launched armed drone struck Tel Aviv, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. In response, the Israeli Air Force targeted the port city of Hodeida in Yemen, causing numerous casualties. Tal Inbar, a senior research fellow at the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, highlighted that while the drone threat isn’t new, recent incidents indicate a lack of adequate preparation and recurring mishaps in defense systems.

The technology has been there for years, and this is not a new threat. There was a lack of preparation, and there have been too many mishaps.
During wars and conflicts, the sides try to challenge each other and look for the weak points in order to take advantage of them.
Tal Inbar, a senior research fellow at the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA)

The Jerusalem Post. Read the full article: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-811563

Hezbollah – Equipping itself with Iranian Sayyad 2 Surface-to-Air Missiles

Tal Inbar — Mon, 20 May 2024 17:21:00 +0000

In May 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces targeted Hezbollah’s air defense sites near Najjarieh and Aaddousiyyeh, south of Sidon, destroying facilities storing Iranian Sayyad-2 surface-to-air missiles. Missile and space researcher Tal Inbar analyzed debris from the strikes, identifying the missiles as Sayyad-2C variants based on serial number comparisons.

Videos published following the strike reveal the debris of an Iranian Sayyad 2 surface-to-air missile. A comparison of the missile’s serial numbers to comparable missiles previously exhibited suggests that it is a Sayyad 2C.
Tal Inbar, a missile and space researcher

The Sayyad-2 is a radar-guided missile, derived from the American RIM-66, with an operational range between 65 and 100 kilometers and a maximum interception altitude of 27 to 30 kilometers. These missiles are integrated into various Iranian air defense systems, including Tabas, Khordad 15, Khordad 3, and Ra’ad, and are also deployed on IRGC navy ships and within the Iranian army.

Hezbollah’s possession of such advanced missile systems underscores the extent of Iranian support through established weapons corridors and highlights Tehran’s commitment to enhancing Hezbollah’s air defense capabilities. The presence of these missiles in Lebanon suggests that Hezbollah may have access to complete air defense systems, potentially challenging Israeli air operations in the region.

This development aligns with Iran’s broader strategy of equipping its proxies with sophisticated weaponry, as evidenced by the deployment of advanced air defense systems in Syria and the transfer of various missile technologies to allied groups.

Alma Center. Read the full article: https://israel-alma.org/hezbollah-equipping-itself-with-iranian-sayyad-2-surface-to-air-missiles/

IDF strike in Lebanon seems to reveal Hezbollah possesses advanced Iranian anti-aircraft missiles

Tal Inbar — Fri, 17 May 2024 17:27:00 +0000

In May 2024, the IDF conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah’s air defense units near Najjarieh, south of Sidon. Post-strike analyses revealed remnants of Iranian Sayyad-2 surface-to-air missiles, indicating Hezbollah’s possession of advanced Iranian anti-aircraft weaponry. This discovery underscores the evolving threat posed by Hezbollah’s enhanced military capabilitie

First evidence of Iranian SAYYAD-2 SAM in Hezbollah’s hands – Short video taken in Lebanon near Zahrani river (as claimed in social media) shows the motor segment of the missile.
Tal Inbar, an expert in strategic research on air, missile, and space systems

Times of Israel. Read the full article: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-strike-in-lebanon-seems-to-reveal-hezbollah-possesses-advanced-iranian-anti-aircraft-missiles/

Why nearly intact Iranian missiles are being found in the Negev – explainer

Tal Inbar — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:43:00 +0000

Travelers who were walking in the Arad area of the Judean desert, enjoying the starry night, were surprised to find themselves standing next to a ballistic missile, a remnant of the major attack that Tehran launched against Israel, which included more than 300 suicide drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

This is not the first missile discovered in the south since the attack. Similar missiles were discovered nearby in the Dead Sea area immediately after.

So how is it that civilians are still finding missiles on the ground ten days after the attack, especially after the IDF spokesman stated that Israel’s air defense system successfully intercepted 99% of them?

The warhead is the payload that the missile carries, the whole purpose of which is to put it into orbit on the way to the target.

The cost of these missiles is high: an Arrow-2 costs about 3 million dollars. The goal is to destroy the target with as few interceptors as possible. That’s why a lot of effort has been put into developing the ability of Israeli air defense systems to distinguish between the warhead and the missile itself. This enables us to launch an interceptor at the right target and not waste an interceptor on the missile itself, as long as it is not about to land in a populated area.
Tal Inbar, an expert on the Iranian missile program

The Jerusalem Post. Read the full article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-798580

Suicide Drones, Cruise and Ballistic Missiles: A Breakdown of the Iranian Aerial Attack on Israel

Tal Inbar — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 17:15:00 +0000

The Israeli army said Sunday that Iran launched dozens of suicide drones, cruise missiles and dozens of surface-to-surface missiles at Israel overnight. It is yet unclear which types of ballistic missiles Iran fired, but prior information and footage of boosters – missile parts that fell to the ground as part of the missile’s flight path – provide clues about the nature of the attack that the Iranians tried to launch on Israeli soil.

The parts appear to belong to some variant of Qiam missile, that are powered by liquid fuel and equipped with a booster that detaches during flight. The two early models of the Qiam missile are limited to a range of up to 800 kilometers (about 500 miles), which means that they cannot reach Israel directly from Iran. Inbar noted that advanced models of the missile have been adapted to achieve greater range.
Tal Inbar, an expert on missiles and drones and a senior research fellow at the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance

Haaretz. Read the full article: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2024-04-14/ty-article/.premium/suicide-drones-cruise-and-ballistic-missiles-a-breakdown-of-irans-attack-on-israel/0000018e-dd82-d203-a7cf-ffdee42a0000

Iranian monkey launch ‘a publicity stunt,’ Israeli space expert says

Tal Inbar — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Iran’s launching of a monkey into orbit was a publicity stunt that says nothing about its ballistic missile capabilities
Israeli space expert Tal Inbar

Tehran on Monday launched a Pishgam (Pioneer) spacecraft bearing a primate to suborbital altitude and lauded the monkey’s successful return to Earth as “the first step for Iran towards sending humans into space,” according to semi-official Press TV.

Inbar, head of the Space and UAV Research Center at the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, explained that the primate-bearing rocket was an unguided projectile that reached a maximum altitude of 120 kilometers (74 miles).

Times of Israel. Read the full article: https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-monkey-launch-a-publicity-stunt-israeli-space-chief-says/