Iran's Cluster Bombs Push Israel on the Backfoot

On the seventh day of the Iran-Israel war, the cluster missile bombs launched by Iran on Israel have proven to be extremely lethal.

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This attack by Iran has severely shaken the morale of Israeli civilians. Cluster bombs, also known as cluster munitions, are among the deadliest and most controversial weapons in the world. These bombs are designed to cause massive destruction and long-term effects on the battlefield. Iran's use of them during the war against Israel has drawn global attention to these missiles.

A cluster bomb is a type of explosive weapon deployed from the air or ground. It comes in the form of a large shell (canister) filled with hundreds of smaller explosive devices known as submunitions or bomblets. These bomblets can vary in type, such as anti-tank, anti-personnel, or incendiary. Their primary purpose is to spread across a wide area and cause maximum damage. The impact zone of a single cluster bomb can be as large as several football fields, enabling it to destroy military units, vehicles, or other targets on a large scale.

How Do Cluster Bombs Work?

The operational mechanism of cluster bombs sets them apart from conventional bombs. They are released via aircraft, helicopters, or missiles into the target area. Upon reaching the target zone, the bomb’s casing opens mid-air, scattering hundreds of bomblets. These bomblets disperse over a large area and detonate, causing widespread destruction.