IAI: A strategic radar for Israel's security

MMR

IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries), a global leader in aerospace and defense, marked a major milestone on Thursday with the delivery of its 250th Multi-Mission Radar (MMR), developed by its Elta Group subsidiary. This achievement comes as these radars have played a central role in Israel’s defense since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, detecting and alerting authorities to every missile and rocket aimed at Israeli territory.

The MMR radar, regarded as the most operationally deployed system of its kind in the world, is responsible for detecting, classifying, and guiding interceptors to neutralize airborne threats. It is also used by several of Israel’s allies in their own air defense networks.

Since entering service, the radar has enabled the detection and interception of tens of thousands of aerial attack attempts, directly contributing to the protection of millions of civilians.

The MMR is a key component of Israel’s four main air defense systems: Barak MX, Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Spyder. Operational since 2009, it has been exported to over 20 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, South America, and Africa, with total sales exceeding $7 billion. It is also compatible with NATO’s command and control systems.

“IAI’s MMR radars are a cornerstone of Israel’s air defense systems. They have consistently proven their effectiveness and precision, saving countless lives. During the ongoing war, we accelerated production to meet the needs of both Israel and our international customers. The partnerships we’ve established reflect the importance of sharing technology in the face of current and future threats,” said Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO.

The MMR combines artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect hundreds of simultaneous threats in real time—including ballistic and cruise missiles, rockets, drones, and loitering munitions. It delivers a highly accurate aerial picture, even in cluttered environments and against low-signature targets. Operating in the S-band, it provides long-range detection and tracking capabilities.

Its strength also lies in its modularity: it can be integrated with other high-frequency active sensors and passive sensors (such as signal detectors, visible and infrared electro-optical sensors, and launch detection systems), enabling it to distinguish between targets in close proximity with high accuracy.

The increasing use of low-signature weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, and advanced missile systems requires constant adaptation in detection technologies. IAI continues to meet these evolving challenges by developing smarter, more precise, and more resilient systems—ensuring aerial superiority for Israel and its partners.

Caroline Haïat