Hezbollah rocket force
Encyclopedia
In October 2006 Hezbollah claimed to have an arsenal of at least 33,000 rockets. The Pentagon believes that Hezbollah has a rocket arsenal of around 30.000. Katyusha rockets were the main offensive weapons used by Hezbollah in the 2006 Lebanon War in which it fired some 3,970 rockets into Israel from southern Lebanon
.
rockets which have a range of 25 km. Hezbollah is also believed to have fired Shahin I missile which was described as a Ra'ad 1 missile by Hezbollah's TV station and has a range of 13 km. However, the vast majority of their rocket arsenal are made up of 122mm Katyusha rockets.
rocket which has a range of 45 km ; the missile was fired into Israel in the 2006 conflict. It was reported that in 2006 Israel Defense Forces
(IDF) believed that Hezbollah had some 100 Fajr rockets.
Fadjr rockets are normally fired on tank-mounted multiple launch systems. Before 2000, the rockets delivered to Hezbollah were believed to have come individually and to be fired from improvised missile launchers. The launching crew could fire the rockets remotely to avoid enemy's counter-battery fire. In early 2001, it became known that Hezbollah had deployed a belt of mobile multi-barreled rocket launchers and truck-mounted missiles along Israel’s northern border in preparation of a conflict with Israel.
which has a claimed range of 200–400 km but with realistic range estimated at 100 km. The Iranian-built missile could reach Tel Aviv
from southern Lebanon. The missile can be fitted with a 600 kg high-explosive warhead and has a solid fuel system that allows it to be easily transported and prepared for firing. Although these are unguided missiles, they could cause serious damages if used on urban areas.
A report by Agence France Presse estimates a stockpile of 30 missiles of the Zelzal type.
missiles that were provided to them by Syria
. US officials believe hezbollah to have possession of these missiles as well. The reports were denied by Syria.
, at the Israeli corvette INS Hanit
, killing four sailors and inflicting substantial damage. A second missile sunk a Cambodian vessel crewed by Egyptian sailors, although no deaths were reported. The Israeli military believes that Iranian advisers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
(IRGC) were present at the launch during the attack. Iran has denied involvement in the incident.
has supplied Hezbollah with Mohajer-4 Unmanned aerial vehicle
s (UAVs). These have flown successfully into Israeli airspace in November 2004 and April 2005.
has provided weapons to Hezbollah as well as provided training and funding. In addition, Syria
has permitted Iran to use Damascus
as a transshipment point to supply Hezbollah.
In another report, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
has helped build Hezbollah's underground storerooms in the Bekaa Valley to hold huge amounts of missiles and ammunition. Hezbollah's missile force includes some 200 technicians and experts trained in Iran. The Zelzal-2 rockets require expertise to aim and launch effectively, and Hezbollah may require direct support from Iranian Revolutionary Guards to operate the rockets.
During the 2006 Lebanon War Hezbollah fired about 3,699 rockets into Israel, killing 44 civilians.
On August 6, 2006 (one week before the end of the conflict) Israeli officials believed that its operation destroyed the vast majority of Hezbollah's longer-range rockets and about a third of the shorter range Katyushas, but the group still has many Katyushas which are smaller and easier to hide or store underground, and can be set up and fired in a few minutes.
On August 13, 2006, the day before the negotiated ceasefire was to come into effect, Hezbollah launched its fiercest barrage, firing 250 rockets into Israel.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
.
Weapons
| Rocket/missile (Hezbollah designation) | Range (km) | Warhead (kg) | Number | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katyusha | BM-21 BM-21 The BM-21 launch vehicle , a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, and a M-21OF rocket were developed in the early 1960s. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, ‘combat vehicle’, and the nickname means ‘hail’. The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket... |
122 | 20 | 21 | thousands |
| BM-27 | 220 | 40 | 100 | thousands | |
| Fajr-5 Fajr-5 The Fajr-5 is an artillery rocket developed by Iran in the 1990s. The system is part of the Fajr family of rockets.-Overview:The latest production of the Fajr-5 is installed on a new Mercedes-Benz 6 x 6 forward control chassis and the platform is now integrated into a complete weapon system rather... (Khaibar-1 Khaibar-1 The Khaibar-1 is an Iranian-made Fajr-5 Artillery rocket renamed and used by the militant group Hezbollah to attack cities and towns in northern Israel... ) |
333 | 75 | 150+ | ~200+ | |
| Zelzal-2 Zelzal-2 Zelzal-2 is an unguided Iranian 610 mm heavy artillery rocket that can carry a 600 kg warhead an estimated . The missile is thought to be based on the Soviet FROG-7 missile, with development begun in 1990.... |
610 | 100-400 | 600 | ~500+ | |
Short range
The main arsenal of Hezbollah's rocket force consists of 40,000 rockets, including the 122mm BM-21BM-21
The BM-21 launch vehicle , a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, and a M-21OF rocket were developed in the early 1960s. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, ‘combat vehicle’, and the nickname means ‘hail’. The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket...
rockets which have a range of 25 km. Hezbollah is also believed to have fired Shahin I missile which was described as a Ra'ad 1 missile by Hezbollah's TV station and has a range of 13 km. However, the vast majority of their rocket arsenal are made up of 122mm Katyusha rockets.
Fajr rockets
Hezbollah also possesses longer range rockets, namely the Fajr-5Fajr-5
The Fajr-5 is an artillery rocket developed by Iran in the 1990s. The system is part of the Fajr family of rockets.-Overview:The latest production of the Fajr-5 is installed on a new Mercedes-Benz 6 x 6 forward control chassis and the platform is now integrated into a complete weapon system rather...
rocket which has a range of 45 km ; the missile was fired into Israel in the 2006 conflict. It was reported that in 2006 Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
(IDF) believed that Hezbollah had some 100 Fajr rockets.
Fadjr rockets are normally fired on tank-mounted multiple launch systems. Before 2000, the rockets delivered to Hezbollah were believed to have come individually and to be fired from improvised missile launchers. The launching crew could fire the rockets remotely to avoid enemy's counter-battery fire. In early 2001, it became known that Hezbollah had deployed a belt of mobile multi-barreled rocket launchers and truck-mounted missiles along Israel’s northern border in preparation of a conflict with Israel.
Zelzal-2 rockets
Hezbollah is also believed by some analysts to have the more potent Zelzal-2Zelzal-2
Zelzal-2 is an unguided Iranian 610 mm heavy artillery rocket that can carry a 600 kg warhead an estimated . The missile is thought to be based on the Soviet FROG-7 missile, with development begun in 1990....
which has a claimed range of 200–400 km but with realistic range estimated at 100 km. The Iranian-built missile could reach Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
from southern Lebanon. The missile can be fitted with a 600 kg high-explosive warhead and has a solid fuel system that allows it to be easily transported and prepared for firing. Although these are unguided missiles, they could cause serious damages if used on urban areas.
A report by Agence France Presse estimates a stockpile of 30 missiles of the Zelzal type.
Scud ballistic missiles
Israel said that Hezbollah has possession of ScudScud
Scud is a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and exported widely to other countries. The term comes from the NATO reporting name SS-1 Scud which was attached to the missile by Western intelligence agencies...
missiles that were provided to them by Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. US officials believe hezbollah to have possession of these missiles as well. The reports were denied by Syria.
Anti-ship missile
On 14 July 2006, Hezbollah forces fired, an anti-ship missileAnti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
, at the Israeli corvette INS Hanit
INS Hanit
The INS Hanit is a Sa'ar 5-class corvette of the Israeli Navy that was built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in 1994...
, killing four sailors and inflicting substantial damage. A second missile sunk a Cambodian vessel crewed by Egyptian sailors, although no deaths were reported. The Israeli military believes that Iranian advisers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
The Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution , often called Revolutionary Guards, is a branch of Iran's military, founded after the Iranian revolution...
(IRGC) were present at the launch during the attack. Iran has denied involvement in the incident.
Unmanned aerial vehicle
IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
has supplied Hezbollah with Mohajer-4 Unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
s (UAVs). These have flown successfully into Israeli airspace in November 2004 and April 2005.
Supply and training
According to the United States, IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
has provided weapons to Hezbollah as well as provided training and funding. In addition, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
has permitted Iran to use Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
as a transshipment point to supply Hezbollah.
In another report, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
The Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution , often called Revolutionary Guards, is a branch of Iran's military, founded after the Iranian revolution...
has helped build Hezbollah's underground storerooms in the Bekaa Valley to hold huge amounts of missiles and ammunition. Hezbollah's missile force includes some 200 technicians and experts trained in Iran. The Zelzal-2 rockets require expertise to aim and launch effectively, and Hezbollah may require direct support from Iranian Revolutionary Guards to operate the rockets.
2006 Lebanon War
On August 6, 2006 (one week before the end of the conflict) Israeli officials believed that its operation destroyed the vast majority of Hezbollah's longer-range rockets and about a third of the shorter range Katyushas, but the group still has many Katyushas which are smaller and easier to hide or store underground, and can be set up and fired in a few minutes.
On August 13, 2006, the day before the negotiated ceasefire was to come into effect, Hezbollah launched its fiercest barrage, firing 250 rockets into Israel.