Iron Dome vs S-400: Complete Comparison (2026) | Comparison
Iron Dome is Israel's short-range rocket defense system with a 90%+ interception rate against rockets and mortars. The S-400 Triumf is Russia's long-range air defense system designed to shoot down aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at 400km range. They serve completely different roles.
Iron Dome
Israeli short-range air defense system by Rafael
Defense against short-range rockets, mortars, and drones
S-400 Triumf
Russian long-range air defense system by Almaz-Antey
Long-range air and missile defense of strategic assets
Quick Answer
AI SummaryIron Dome is Israel's short-range rocket defense system with a 90%+ interception rate against rockets and mortars. The S-400 Triumf is Russia's long-range air defense system designed to shoot down aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at 400km range. They serve completely different roles.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedThese aren't competitors — they're different classes. Iron Dome defends against short-range rockets (Hamas, Hezbollah). S-400 defends against aircraft and missiles at long range. Israel uses Iron Dome + David's Sling + Arrow for layered defense.
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Choose Iron Dome if
Defense against short-range rockets, mortars, and drones
Choose S-400 Triumf if
Best pickLong-range air and missile defense of strategic assets
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Range:✓ S-400 Triumf wins(40-400 km vs 4-70 km)
- Targets:✓ S-400 Triumf wins(Aircraft, cruise/ballistic missiles vs Rockets, mortars, drones)
- Interception Rate:✓ Iron Dome wins(90%+ (proven) vs Claimed 90%+ (unproven vs peers))
Key Facts & Figures
3 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Iron Dome | S-400 Triumf | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Range(km) | 70 | 400 | |
| Battery Cost(USD) | $50M | $500M+ | |
| Interceptor Cost(USD) | $40-100K | $1-2M |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
6 attributes compared head-to-head
- 4-70 kmRange40-400 km(winner)
- Rockets, mortars, dronesTargetsAircraft, cruise/ballistic missiles(winner)
- 90%+ (proven)(winner)Interception RateClaimed 90%+ (unproven vs peers)
- $50M(winner)Cost per Battery$500M+
- Yes (10,000+ intercepts)(winner)Combat ProvenLimited
- MultipleTargets Tracked300 simultaneously(winner)
- Range
Iron Dome
4-70 km
S-400 Triumf
40-400 km(winner)
- Targets
Iron Dome
Rockets, mortars, drones
S-400 Triumf
Aircraft, cruise/ballistic missiles(winner)
- Interception Rate
Iron Dome
90%+ (proven)(winner)
S-400 Triumf
Claimed 90%+ (unproven vs peers)
- Cost per Battery
Iron Dome
$50M(winner)
S-400 Triumf
$500M+
- Combat Proven
Iron Dome
Yes (10,000+ intercepts)(winner)
S-400 Triumf
Limited
- Targets Tracked
Iron Dome
Multiple
S-400 Triumf
300 simultaneously(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Iron Dome | S-400 Triumf |
|---|---|---|
| Max Range(km) | 70 | 400(winner) |
| Battery Cost(USD) | $50M | $500M+ |
| Interceptor Cost(USD) | $40-100K | $1-2M |
| Combat Proven | Yes (10,000+ intercepts) | Limited use |
Iron DomeS-400 TriumfPros & Cons
11 pros·8 cons across both
Iron Dome
Pros
- 90%+ interception rate
- Battle-proven (thousands of intercepts)
- AI-based threat assessment
- Cost-effective per intercept ($40-100K)
- Fast reaction time
- Mobile and rapidly deployable
Cons
- Short range only (4-70 km)
- Cannot intercept ballistic missiles
- $50K+ per interceptor vs $500 rockets
- Can be overwhelmed by mass salvos
S-400 Triumf
Pros
- 400 km maximum range
- Can engage aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles
- Multiple missile types (48N6, 40N6)
- Track 300 targets simultaneously
- Operates in heavy electronic warfare
Cons
- No proven combat record against peer adversary
- Very expensive ($500M+ per battalion)
- Large footprint (harder to hide)
- Unproven against stealth aircraft
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questions
They serve different purposes. Iron Dome is for short-range rocket defense. S-400 is for long-range air defense. A complete defense needs both types — Israel uses Iron Dome + David's Sling + Arrow for layered defense.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
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