Beyond the enormous military success of the Iron Dome battery, it appears to also have real economic benefit. The development of the system involved contentious debates and quite a few costs; Israel needed U.S. economic assistance to complete its construction. According to estimates, the potential damage of a rocket falling on a populated area that damages property, with no loss of life, would cost half a million to a million shekels (about $126,000-$253,000). In the case of bodily damage, the costs rapidly climb even higher. The cost of one interceptor missile is about $30,000. These days, Iron Dome proves its fiscal worth right before our very eyes. The wonder of the Iron Dome is its ability to really give an economic answer to Hamas' rocket barrages. You could say that it boosts our national resilience because it reinforces public morale. This phenomenon is, of course, hard to quantify. It can also be argued, however, that the damage caused by anxiety is "offset" by this strong additional morale. This is a completely new kind of war, in which computers are doing the job to provide real security to the public. In light of Israel being one of the world's largest exporters of defensive hardware, the Iron Dome may also be a real addition to Israel's economic reputation. In this sense, Israel will earn money from the Iron Dome. Not only due to its performance, but also from its export. It is also important to note that Israel is proving itself with top-notch technology in the current operation against Hamas. The surgically precise damage the Israel Air Force inflicts on specific targets is impressive on a global scale, similar to the protection provided by the Iron Dome. When Google was in its early days, one of the founders admitted they did not know exactly where their technology was heading. So they invested in large projects, even if the immediate benefit was unclear. Israel must continue to invest in technologies for potential future military scenarios, just as it did with the Iron Dome. The dangers may not be revealed as of yet, but it will prove life saving in a moment of truth. The fruits of such labors may continue for many years, well beyond their initial use.
