When missile alerts sound across Israel in the still hours before dawn, it’s no accident. Iran has consistently chosen nighttime for its missile attacks, a decision that goes far beyond mere darkness. This timing is rooted in calculated military logic, technical limitations, and a desire to disorient the enemy.
Dr. Itay Gal explored this issue in a fascinating analysis published in the Jerusalem Post, shedding light on the rationale behind these nocturnal offensives.
Though it may seem obvious that night provides cover, the reasons for striking after sunset extend beyond simple concealment. There are multiple overlapping factors at play—some mechanical, others strategic, and all serving a broader goal of intimidation and surprise.
One of the most important technical considerations is that missiles, unlike airplanes, cannot draw oxygen from the air to ignite their engines. Instead, they must carry both the fuel and a separate oxidizing agent onboard, enabling combustion even at high altitudes where oxygen is virtually nonexistent.
This necessity creates two distinct missile types: those fueled with liquid propellants and those using solid fuel—each with unique capabilities and vulnerabilities.
Iran’s arsenal of long-distance missiles—like the Shahab models—typically depends on liquid fuel. Preparing these weapons for launch involves a complicated and time-consuming process. Two separate storage tanks, one for fuel and another for the oxidizer, must be filled precisely. The procedure is dangerous and demands a fixed launch location and support personnel, leaving the missile exposed for long stretches.
This fueling stage is also the most opportune moment for enemies to detect and strike. Surveillance satellites and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft pose a significant threat. To mitigate this, Iran generally carries out fueling and related preparations at night, when reduced visibility hampers aerial tracking.
Shorter-range systems, such as the Fateh-110 or Zolfaghar, utilize solid fuel. These missiles are factory-loaded with a blend of fuel and oxidizer, allowing for rapid deployment. They can be launched from mobile units without requiring on-site fueling, making them far more agile and harder to target in advance.
However, solid-fuel rockets lack flexibility once launched. Their engines cannot be throttled down or shut off after ignition—what’s lit must fly. The benefit is speed and readiness, while the drawback is inflexibility.
People often wonder why missile engines need built-in oxidizers. The answer lies in the altitudes at which these weapons travel. Whereas jet engines pull oxygen from the air, ballistic missiles rise so high into the atmosphere—sometimes hundreds of kilometers—that oxygen is either insufficient or entirely absent. These rockets must therefore be entirely self-contained in their propulsion systems.
Ultimately, Iran’s preference for nighttime strikes is a calculated tactic. It accounts for the mechanics of its missile technology, the strategic advantage of stealth, and the psychological toll on civilians suddenly awakened by sirens and explosions.
By combining different missile types, varying launch platforms, and the cloak of night, Iran seeks to amplify its operational resilience and sow fear—even if the missiles themselves don’t always hit their targets.
In modern warfare, when a missile is fired can be just as impactful as where it lands.
{Matzav.com Israel}
