Now it can be told: Operation Rising Lion started in 1996

It began somewhere at dawn in 1996. On the morning of that day, the first satellite was launched into space as part of preparations for multi-arena warfare in the Middle East. Over the years, more satellites of various sizes were launched into space with a clear requirement: to map the Middle East as much as possible, and especially Iran.

"Opening Strike": All of Iran on the Map

The major breakthrough began after the night of Iran's attack on Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones in April 2024. It was clear that Iran needed to be put on the map, literally. Within a country whose size is 1.6 million square kilometers, tens of millions of square kilometers were photographed, revealing all of Iran in what would become the great success of the opening strike. Large AI systems were integrated into various systems, hundreds of targets were photographed daily, and hundreds of thousands of kilometers were exposed to the eyes of decision-makers and commanders.

The Space Administration of MAFAT (Ministry of Defense Research and Development Directorate) also used tactical satellites that see day and night at the highest resolution, as well as storm satellites that provide accurate images even during dark nighttime hours. At the end of the event, it can be said that the Israeli space system mapped all of Iran 24/7 with the entire Middle East before them. Moreover, during the fighting, dozens of changes were made while the aircraft were still in the air, during which thousands of targets were engaged.

The Attack Process: Fighter Jets, Drones, and "Gaza in Iran"

After all this, ground operations began. The first Air Force aircraft operated from areas distant from Iran to prevent damage to the aircraft, and during the operation, most of Iran's dense air defense systems were destroyed, allowing a free attack route for Air Force aircraft and later for American aircraft as well. "We brought Gaza to Iran," says a senior source in MAFAT, as the noise of various drones gave Iranian operators a sense of being hunted. In these operations, about 500 targets were attacked. Unmanned aerial vehicles constituted 86% of all activity in Iran, with aircraft using relatively simple, lower-cost armaments - this to sow destruction and sabotage among launcher operators.

Long-term Developments and Air Defense System Achievements

It must be understood that these capabilities were built over 15 to 25 years, when even in Israel there were quite a few opponents to these systems, both in internal ranks and in the IDF. Ultimately, the decision to continue with a system that would integrate all systems was justified. This was the most connected campaign. Versions that were implemented just a week before the attack helped operations to be carried out in the best possible way, and of course, for the interception system, this yielded a success rate of 86% interception of surface-to-surface missiles and 99% destruction of unmanned aerial vehicles. When Iron Dome serves as a milestone in intercepting small aircraft, alongside these operated the David's Sling system for missile interception, and even the Navy worked thoroughly with the Barak missile and additional capabilities, and above them the Arrow system.

Prevented Damage, Continued Development, and International Cooperation

The Directorate for Defense Research and Development Infrastructure at the Ministry of Defense says that while there was damage on the order of about 10 billion shekels, the damage potential, had the systems not operated, could have reached about 70 billion shekels. The Ministry of Defense says that significant developments, alongside work in systems and military industry facilities, continues at all times and has even been intensified recently, with additional developments, inventory completion, and additional operations being carried out in the Ministry of Defense's research and development.

The drone array operated continuously for the first time in the third circle, performed thousands of flight hours and over 500 attacks and thwarting operations. 'Blue and white' armaments developed in MAFAT and defense industries over about 20 years participated in the opening strike in particular and in the fighting in general, and were a decisive factor in achieving surprise and reaching objectives. MAFAT has recently led a wide-scale development effort in five main efforts: air defense, drones, space, armaments and fighter aircraft protection, AI and digital. The Ministry of Defense says there was no shortage of interceptors or armaments at any stage, and cooperation between Israel and the United States and other countries continues at all times, including now in these days.