Forest Green
ACCESS: Above Top Secret
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How come Arrow 3 ($3.5m) is so much cheaper than SM-3 IIA?
Non-naval, presumably, designed for more specific conditions.How come Arrow 3 ($3.5m) is so much cheaper than SM-3 IIA?
It's smaller, much less complex, and much less capable.How come Arrow 3 ($3.5m) is so much cheaper than SM-3 IIA?
I'd assume 1 for 1, but we know what assuming means.Is there any indication yet as to how many Arrow 3s the IDF fired at Iranian ballistic missiles?
This is a good point. Based on the fact there were 120 BMs, 36 CMs and 185 drones, that's only 341 objects total. If an Arrow 3 costs $3.5m, then unless an Arrow 3 was fired at every single once of them, these estimates of $1-1.3bn do not hold water. Even if an Arrow 3 was used on every BM, that's $420m, and assuming a David's Sling ($1m) for the other 221 missiles/drones, that's only $640m. And we know some drones were shot down with APKWS and Sidewinder outside Israel. So the total cost was likely nearer $500m.Is there any indication yet as to how many Arrow 3s the IDF fired at Iranian ballistic missiles?
From another thread (source @Grey Havoc )
Former financial advisor to the IDF Chief of General Staff estimates a cost of about 4-5 billion NIS, or 1-1.3 billion USD.
https://www.ynet.co.il/economy/article/rkl6kwygr
This is not sustainable. This is 5% of the IDF's annual budget spent in one night.
A single David's Sling missile costs $1 million. A single Arrow costs $3.5 million without specifying the variant (likely Arrow 2).
He estimates the cost for Iran was about 10% of that.
Plus, Israel has options for international sourcing of components that Iran doesn't. Or, if Iran does, has to spend a lot more for them due to needing to smuggle them in. I've heard that the markup on smuggled goods is usually upwards of 200%.This is a good point. Based on the fact there were 120 BMs, 36 CMs and 185 drones, that's only 341 objects total. If an Arrow 3 costs $3.5m, then unless an Arrow 3 was fired at every single once of them, these estimates of $1-1.3bn do not hold water. Even if an Arrow 3 was used on every BM, that's $420m, and assuming a David's Sling ($1m) for the other 221 missiles/drones, that's only $640m. And we know some drones were shot down with APKWS and Sidewinder outside Israel. So the total cost was likely nearer $500m.
Now given that Iran used 50 MRBMs, plus 70 SRBMs, plus 36 CMs and 185 large drones, what's the bet that cost something similar? And last I looked Israel's GDP is ~25% higher than Iran's.
Or, if Iran does, has to spend a lot more for them due to needing to smuggle them in.