How would ISRAEL Fight a Nuclear War?

Summary

This video explores the potential for nuclear conflict in the Middle East, focusing on Israel's nuclear capabilities. It details Israel's nuclear triad, including land-based Jericho missiles, air-based F-16 and F-15 bombers, and sea-based Dolphin class submarines with Popeye Turbo missiles. The video discusses the range, payload, and strategic advantages of each component, highlighting Israel's readiness and the implications for regional stability.

Takeaways

• 📈 The possibility of a nuclear conflict in the Middle East, involving Israel and Hamas, has become a real concern, complicating regional dynamics.
• 💣 Israel's nuclear strategy is based on a nuclear triad, which includes land-based, sea-based, and air-based capabilities.
• 🚀 The land-based component consists of 46 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) mounted on mobile launch vehicles, with the Jericho series being the main missile system.
• 🔋 Israel's sea-based nuclear capability is delivered through Dolphin-class submarines armed with Popeye Turbo submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs).
• ✈️ The air-based component is made up of approximately 225 tactical bombers, including F-16s and F-15Is, which are equipped for nuclear strike roles.
• 🌐 The Jericho 3 missile, part of Israel's nuclear arsenal, has a range of over 2500 miles, capable of reaching Moscow and other distant targets.
• 💥 Each Jericho 2 missile can carry a 1-megaton nuclear warhead, while the Jericho 3 can carry multiple warheads with varying yields.
• 🔐 Israel's nuclear weapons are stored in hardened caves and underground facilities, enhancing their survivability against preemptive strikes.
• 🌐 The mobility of Israel's land-based missiles allows for quick dispersal, complicating an enemy's ability to track and target them.
• 🔑 The Popeye Turbo SLCMs, carried by Israel's submarines, are considered the most survivable and隐蔽的 weapon in Israel's nuclear arsenal due to their stealth and rapid launch capabilities.

Q & A

What is the nuclear triad that Israel operates under?

Israel operates under a nuclear triad consisting of land-based road mobile intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBM), sea-based submarines armed with submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM), and air-based tactical bombers carrying gravity bombs.

How many intermediate range ballistic missiles does Israel have in its land-based mobile force?

Israel's land-based mobile force is comprised of 46 intermediate range ballistic missiles.

What is the range of the Jericho 2 missile?

The Jericho 2 has an increased range of 930 miles, putting the southernmost Soviet cities and the Black Sea Fleet within nuclear strike range.

What is the range of the Jericho 3 missile and what does this capability allow Israel to target?

The Jericho 3 has a range of over 2500 miles, giving it the capability to target all of Iran, Pakistan, and all of Russia west of the Ural Mountains, including Moscow.

How many nuclear warheads can a Jericho 3 missile carry and what is the yield of these warheads?

A Jericho 3 missile is equipped with either one 400 kiloton nuclear warhead or up to three 150 kiloton independently targetable re-entry vehicles.

What is the significance of the Jericho 3A missile and its range?

The Jericho 3A, an improved version of the Jericho 3, offers an intercontinental range exceeding 3,400 miles, enhancing Israel's strategic reach.

How many tactical bombers does Israel operate and what are the main types?

Israel operates a potential fleet of 225 tactical bombers, consisting of over 200 F-16s and 25 F-15Is.

What is the significance of the F-16 in the Israeli Air Force and its combat history?

The F-16 has been the backbone of the Israeli Air Force since the 1980s and has been involved in numerous combat missions, including the destruction of Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981.

What is the role of the F-15I (Baz) in the Israeli Air Force and its capabilities?

The F-15I, known as the Baz, is used for long-range strike and air superiority roles. It can reach targets within a 2,800-mile radius from takeoff at speeds of 2,000 mph.

How many ballistic missile submarines does the Israeli Navy operate and what type of missiles do they carry?

The Israeli Navy operates a fleet of five Dolphin-class ballistic missile submarines, each carrying up to four Popeye Turbo submarine-launch nuclear cruise missiles.

What are the advantages of ballistic missile submarines in Israel's nuclear triad?

Ballistic missile submarines are the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad, being virtually undetectable at sea and able to launch their entire missile payload undetected in a short time, ensuring a high level of deterrence.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Israel's Nuclear Triad and Missile Capabilities

This paragraph discusses the complexity of nuclear dynamics in the Middle East due to conflicts like the one between Israel and Hamas. It explores Israel's nuclear war plan, the number of nuclear weapons at the Prime Minister's disposal, their targets, and the potential scale of destruction and casualties. The focus is on Israel's nuclear Triad, which includes land-based, sea-based, and air-based capabilities. The land-based component consists of 46 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) mounted on mobile launch vehicles, with the Jericho series being the primary missile system. The paragraph delves into the history and specifications of the Jericho missiles, including their range, speed, and payload. The Jericho 1, 2, and the upgraded Jericho 3 missiles are highlighted, with the latter having a range that can reach Moscow and carry warheads significantly more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The paragraph also touches on the strategic advantages and vulnerabilities of Israel's Road Mobile IRBMs, such as their mobility and the potential risk of a surprise nuclear attack.

05:01

✈️ Israeli Air Force's Nuclear Capabilities

The second paragraph details the air-based component of Israel's nuclear triad, focusing on its fleet of tactical bombers. The Israeli Air Force operates over 200 F-16s and 25 F-15Is, which are equipped with custom electronics and are potential candidates for air delivery of nuclear weapons. The paragraph recounts the history and combat record of the F-16, including its role in Operation Opera, which destroyed Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor. It also discusses the F-15I's capabilities, including its long-range strike and air superiority roles. The paragraph highlights the benefits of air-delivered gravity bombs, such as the ability to evade enemy defenses and the flexibility to retarget or recall the bombs mid-flight. However, it also points out the potential vulnerability of the bombers to a surprise attack due to their longer response time.

10:02

🌊 Israel's Ballistic Missile Submarines

The final paragraph examines the sea-based aspect of Israel's nuclear triad, specifically the ballistic missile submarines. The Israel Navy operates five Dolphin-class submarines, each equipped with Popeye Turbo submarine-launched nuclear cruise missiles. These submarines are considered the most survivable part of the nuclear triad due to their stealth and the difficulty in detecting them at sea. The paragraph outlines the capabilities of the Popeye Turbo missiles, which can be launched quickly and reach targets with significant destructive power. The paragraph emphasizes the strategic advantage of having at least two submarines on constant patrol, ensuring a second-strike capability even after a surprise attack. It concludes by stating that there are no significant disadvantages to Israel's ballistic missile submarines, making them a critical deterrent in the region's nuclear dynamics.

Keywords

💡Nuclear Triad

The 'Nuclear Triad' refers to a nation's three-pronged ability to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea, and air. In the context of the video, Israel operates under a nuclear triad consisting of land-based Road Mobile intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBM), sea-based submarines armed with submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM), and air-based tactical bombers carrying gravity bombs. This triad is designed to provide a robust and flexible nuclear deterrent, with each leg able to respond independently in the event of a nuclear conflict.

💡Jericho Missiles

The 'Jericho' missiles are part of Israel's land-based nuclear triad. The Jericho program began in the 1960s, and the missiles have evolved through different versions, with the Jericho 1 having a range of over 300 miles, and the Jericho 2 increasing that range to 930 miles. The latest Jericho 3 has an intercontinental range exceeding 3,400 miles, allowing Israel to target a broader range of potential adversaries. The video emphasizes the Jericho missiles' mobility and the ability to launch from silos, flat trucks, or mobile launch vehicles, enhancing their survivability.

💡Nuclear Warhead

A 'nuclear warhead' is a nuclear weapon that can be delivered by a missile, aircraft, or other delivery systems. The video discusses the various warheads available for Israel's Jericho missiles, including the 20 kiloton warhead for the Jericho 1, the 1 Megaton warhead for the Jericho 2, and the 400 kiloton or 150 kiloton independently targetable re-entry vehicles for the Jericho 3. These warheads are significant because they determine the destructive power of the missiles and their potential impact on targets.

💡Submarine Launch Cruise Missile (SLCM)

The 'Submarine Launch Cruise Missile' (SLCM) is a type of nuclear-capable missile launched from submarines. The video mentions that Israel's Dolphin class submarines are equipped with Popeye Turbo SLCMs, which are highly survivable and can be launched with a range of over 600 miles. These missiles, with their ability to be launched undetected, form a critical part of Israel's second-strike capability, ensuring a retaliatory option even after a surprise attack.

💡Tactical Bomber

A 'Tactical Bomber' is a military aircraft designed to deliver conventional or nuclear weapons against tactical targets. The video highlights Israel's fleet of F-16s and F-15Is as potential delivery platforms for nuclear gravity bombs. These bombers are significant as they provide air-based nuclear capabilities, offering the flexibility to evade enemy defenses and deliver nuclear payloads with precision.

💡Nuclear Conflict

The term 'Nuclear Conflict' refers to a war involving the use of nuclear weapons. The video explores the potential scenarios of a nuclear conflict in the Middle East, particularly focusing on Israel's preparedness and strategies for responding to such a conflict. It discusses the possible outcomes, including the number of missile launches and expected casualties, emphasizing the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare.

💡Missile Defense

Missile defense systems are designed to detect, intercept, and destroy incoming missiles. The video touches on the importance of missile defense in Israel's nuclear strategy, particularly in protecting against potential nuclear attacks. While not explicitly detailed in the video, missile defense is a critical component in the broader context of nuclear warfare, as it can mitigate the damage from an enemy's nuclear arsenal.

💡Deterrence

Deterrence is a military strategy that aims to discourage an adversary from taking a course of action by posing a credible threat of retaliation. In the video, the concept of deterrence is central to understanding Israel's nuclear strategy, as the presence of a nuclear arsenal and the demonstrated ability to use it are intended to deter potential aggressors from launching a nuclear attack.

💡Nuclear Arsenal

A 'Nuclear Arsenal' refers to a country's collection of nuclear weapons. The video discusses Israel's nuclear arsenal, which includes various types of missiles and warheads, as a means to ensure national security and maintain a balance of power in the region. The size and capabilities of a nuclear arsenal are key factors in determining a country's strategic strength and its ability to deter potential adversaries.

💡Nuclear Strategy

Nuclear strategy encompasses the policies, doctrines, and plans that a nation develops to use nuclear weapons to achieve its security objectives. The video delves into Israel's nuclear strategy, which includes the development and deployment of a nuclear triad and the maintenance of a credible deterrent. This strategy is designed to prevent nuclear conflict by ensuring that the consequences of an attack on Israel would be unacceptable to any potential aggressor.

Highlights

The possibility of nuclear conflict in the Middle East is now a real threat, complicating regional dynamics.

Israel's nuclear strategy is based on a triad of land, sea, and air capabilities.

Israel possesses 46 intermediate-range ballistic missiles mounted on mobile launch vehicles.

The Jericho missile program began in the 1960s with French assistance.

Jericho 2 missiles have a range of 930 miles, capable of reaching the Black Sea Fleet.

Jericho 3 missiles, with a range over 2500 miles, can target Moscow and beyond.

Israel's nuclear arsenal includes missiles with warheads 125 times more powerful than Hiroshima's.

Israel's Road Mobile IRBMs are dispersed in hardened caves for protection against preemptive strikes.

Israel's F-16 and F-15I aircraft are potential delivery platforms for nuclear weapons.

F-16s have been involved in numerous combat missions, including the 1981 destruction of Iraq's nuclear reactor.

Israel's nuclear gravity bombs are stored in underground facilities at two air force bases.

Ballistic missile submarines are the most survivable part of Israel's nuclear triad.

Dolphin class submarines carry Popeye Turbo missiles with a range of over 600 miles.

Israel's nuclear strategy aims to ensure survivability and a second-strike capability.

The Popeye Turbo missile is difficult to detect and can be launched with high speed and accuracy.

Israel's nuclear capabilities are designed to deter potential adversaries and ensure national security.

Transcripts

war between Israel and Hamas is further

complicating nuclear Dynamics in the

region the prospect of nuclear conflict

in the Middle East once Unthinkable is

now a very real possibility today we're

going to explore the unthinkable how

would Israel respond during a nuclear

conflict what's Israel's nuclear war

plan how many nuclear weapons are

readily available to the Prime Minister

where are they what are their targets

how many missiles would be launched how

many casualties could we expect after

Israeli bombs reach their destinations

what would the Middle East look like

going forward and most importantly could

Israel win a nuclear

[Music]

war Israel operates under a nuclear

Triad consisting of landbased Road

Mobile intermediate range ballistic

missiles or irbm seab based submarines

armed with submarine launch cruise

missiles or slcm and air-based tactical

bombers carrying gravity bombs now let's

take a look at each part of Israel's

Triad and its weapon delivery

systems the first and most well-known

part of Israel's nuclear Triad is its

landbase Road Mobile intermediate range

ballistic missiles or irbm Israel's Road

Mobile irbm force is comprised of 46

intermediate range ballistic missiles

each mounted on a 7 axle chassis mobile

launch

vehicle Israel's ballistic missile

program dates back to the early 1960s in

April of 1963 several months before the

Dema reactor began producing plutonium

Israel signed an agreement with the

French company TOA to produce a short

range surface to surface ballistic

missile the missile system became known

as a Jericho and the program was

completed in the early 1970s producing

24 to 30 missiles the Jericho had a

range of over 300 Mi traveled at speeds

of over 3,800 mph reaching its Target at

around 7 Minutes standing at a height of

44 ft with a 1 M diameter and a total

launch weight of 15,000 lb the missile

used a two solid propellant engine that

can be launched from a ra Road flat

truck or mobile launch vehicle each

Jericho missile carried a 20 kiloton

nuclear warhead the range of the first

Jericho was sufficient to strike major

cities such as Damascus and Cairo from

secur launch locations in the late 1980s

Israel co-developed a two State Sol the

field medium- range ballistic missile

with South Africa Coda the Jericho 2 the

Jericho 2 had an increased range of 930

Mi and for the first time put the

southernmost Soviet cities and Black Sea

Fleet within Nuclear Strike range a

modified version of the shevet space

rocket the Jericho 2 was first deployed

in the early 1990s replacing the Jericho

1 the Jericho 2 was first flight tested

May of 1987 to approximately 527 Mi with

its trajectory going far into the

Mediterranean Sea another test in 1989

reached over 800 Mi each Jericho 2

missile could be launched from a silo

Railroad Flat truck or mobile launch

vehicle the Jericho's Mobility allows it

to be hid and moved quickly or kept in a

hardened Silo increasing its resilience

against a preemptive strike each Jericho

2 can carry a 1 Megaton nuclear warhead

each warri has an explosive yield to 125

times the destructive power of the bomb

dropped on Hiroshima given that

approximately half of Iran including tan

is beyond the range of the Jericho 2

medium- range ballistic missile Israel

is currently upgrading its Arsenal with

a newer and more capable three states

Jericho 3 intermediate range ballistic

missile the Jericho 3 has a range of

over 2500 Mi giving it the capability to

Target all of Iran Pakistan and all of

Russia west of the Euro mountains

including for the first time the

nation's capital of Moscow with a

population of over 12.6 million the

Jericho 3 was first test launched over

the Mediterranean Sea in January of 2008

and entered service in 2011 unidentified

defense sources claim that the Jericho 3

constitutes quote a dramatic leap in

Israel's nuclear missile capabilities

that's because the Jericho 3 missile is

equipped with either one 400 kiloton

nuclear warhead or up to 3 150 kiloton

independently targetable re-entry

Vehicles each Warhead has 50 times to 20

times the destructive power of the bombs

dropped on Japan in 1945 respectively in

July of 2013 Israel tested an improved

version of the Jericho 3 missile the

Jericho 3A with a new motor offering the

missile an InterContinental range

exceeding 3,400 MI

Israel has 46 Jericho 2 and Jericho 3 is

deploy to stop MAA near the town of

Sakara in the Juden Hills approximately

17 Mi east of Jerusalem these missiles

are dispersed in 23 hardened caves with

two launchers deployed in each

cave as with all things there are

advantages and disadvantages of Israel's

Road Mobile intermediate range ballistic

missiles the primary disadvantage of

Israel's Road Mobile medium range

ballistic missiles is their location the

shamaka missile base is relatively small

at just 10 square mies with launcher

Cades located along two roads Each of

which is only a little more than half a

mile long although this layout would

provide protection against limited

conventional attacks if not dispersed

quickly enough the base's layout leaves

Israel's Jericho missiles vulnerable to

a surprise nuclear attack the primary

advantage of Israel's Road Mobile medium

range ballistic missiles is their

ability to leave their caves and

disperse with sufficient warning time

and insufficient satellite visibility

for the attacking country to track

mobile launchers the eror that the road

mobile medium range ballistic missiles

could be in would be too large to be

bombarded Ed by an attacking country's

nuclear Arsenal thus ensuring the

Jericho survivability during an attack

the second arm of Israel's nuclear Triad

is its Airbase tactical bombers Israel

currently operates a potential Fleet of

225 tactical bombers consisting of over

200 f-16s and 25 F-15 eyes

[Music]

since the 1980s the F-16 has been the

backbone of the Israeli Air Force the

Israeli Defense Force ordered a total of

362 f-16s from the early F-16 ABS to the

latest f-16i 50 of those aircraft were

given to Israel by the us as payment for

restraint during the 1991 Gulf War all

Israeli f-16s are fitted with Custom

Electronics the F-16 has for many years

been thought to be the most likely

candidate for air delivery of Israeli

nuclear weapons various versions of the

F-16 serve Nuclear Strike roles in the

US Air Force among NATO allies of the 67

kills achieved by the F-16 worldwide 47r

credit to Israel Israeli f-16's first

saw Combat on April 28th of 1981 when an

Israeli F-16 from the first jet Squadron

shot down a Syrian mi8 helicopter over

rasque near the Lebanese town of zeal 5

hours later another Syrian mi8 fell prey

to an F-16 from the same Squadron then

on June 7th of 1981 operation Opa

brought a swift end to Saddam Hussein's

nuclear weapons program when eight IDF

f-16s destroyed Iraq's ozich nuclear

reactor near Baghdad during a 1,000m

round trip Journey that well exceeded

the f-16's official combat range

furthermore since 1998 Israel has

deployed 25 Boeing F-15 e strike Eagles

for long range strike and air

superiority roles in November of 1974

when President Gerald Ford first

accepted the first F-15 on behalf of a

Tactical Air Command the aircraft was

heralded as the best air-to-air fighter

ever built it's not surprising then that

leaders of the Israeli Air Force were

interested in the F-15 a deal was struck

and in December of 1976 the Israelis

received their first shipment of F-15

Fighters the Israeli version also known

as the f-15i or baz is characterized by

its greater takeoff weight and attack

range with the ability to reach its

targets within a 2800 miile radius from

takeoff at speeds of 2,000 mph with

tensions and hostilities in the Middle

East reaching a boiling point it was

probably inevitable that Israel would be

the first to use the F-15 in combat its

notable combat missions include the

spring campaign against the Palestine

Liberation Organization or PLO in 1979

where Israeli f-15s conducted

reconnaissance flights and bombing

attacks on suspected terrorist camps and

training facilities in Lebanon achieving

10 kills against ass Syrian M 21 from

the time the Israeli Air Force began

flying the F-15 until the ceasefire in

June of 1982 F-15 scored 58 kills with

no losses against Syrian migs modified

with specialized terrain mapping radar

and other Advanced navigation guidance

systems the F-15 Strike Eagle is well

suited for its Nuclear Strike roll

approximately 30 of Israel's nuclear

weapons are believed to be air

deliverable gravity bombs Israel's

gravity bombs are stored in two

underground facilities at two Air Force

bases Toff Air Force Base in central

Israel and hastam Air Force Base in the

netive

desert as with all things there are

advantages and disadvantages of Israel's

air delivered gravity bombs their first

benefit comes from the mot of delivery

with the capability being dropped at

speeds of Mach 2 and from an altitude of

50,000 ft air delivery of Israel's

nuclear gravity bombs allows attacking

Personnel to evade defensive fire and

countermeasures from the enemy Target

area furthermore Israel's nuclear

gravity bombs are the most flexible

nuclear option with the advantage of

being able to Tain targets mid-flight or

to be called back of tension's cool the

primary disadvantage of Israel's nuclear

bombers is their response time they take

a lot longer to get in the air and if

air bases aren't on high alert or if

planes aren't already in flight there's

a high probability of them being

destroyed in an initial surprise

attack the last and most important of

Israel's nuclear Triad are its ballistic

missile submarines the Israel Navy

operates a fleet of five dolphin class

ballistic missile submarines each

submarine carries up to four popey turbo

submarine launch nuclear cruise missiles

although Israel submarines are home near

hafa in the Mediterranean Coast in

recent years they've occasionally sailed

through the Suz Canal as a likely

deterrence to Signal Iran the papey

turbo is the most survivable weapon in

Israel's nuclear Arsenal each missile is

armed with up to 120 kiloton nuclear

warhead in theory each subcon launches

entire four missile payload virtually

undetected in under 2 minutes when

launched the popey turbo travels at

speeds exceeding 550 mph has a range of

over 600 miles and typically reaches its

Target or Targets in around 5 minutes

just one missile alone has two times the

destructive power of the the bomb

dropped on hoshima there are numerous

advantages of the ballistic missile

submarine for starters they make up the

most survivable leg of the nuclear Triad

ballistic missile submarines are

virtually undetectable at Sea the

self-design makes finding one an almost

impossible task giving pause to

potential adversaries furthermore

submarine launch cruise missiles are a

lot harder to defend against when

launched an enemy force would have to

Counterattack each missile individually

making defense costly and complicated

the small size also makes them difficult

to detect on radar with at least two

submarines on cost of Patrol at all

times ballistic missile submarines

assure that Israel can strike at any

time anywhere even after a sry attack in

terms of disadvantages there simply are

none

[Music]