To put that in some comparison the Hiroshima bomb was only about 15 kilotons.
Here’s more about them and their nuclear weapons program:
Israel’s Jericho III missile is a central component of its strategic deterrent, closely tied to its unacknowledged nuclear weapons program.
Jericho III Missile Overview
The Jericho III (also designated YA-4) is a solid-fuelled, three-stage intermediate to intercontinental ballistic missile developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.
It entered service around 2011 and is believed to be operationally deployed.
The missile has an estimated range between 4,800 and 6,500 kilometres, with some sources suggesting it could reach up to 11,500 kilometres depending on payload configuration.
This range allows it to strike targets across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and potentially parts of North and South America and Australia.
The Jericho III is capable of carrying a payload between 1,000 and 1,300 kilograms, which could include a single nuclear warhead with a yield estimated between 150 and 400 kilotons, or multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) with lower yields.
Its mobility is enhanced by various basing options, including transporter erector launchers (TELs), silos, and railcars.
Israel’s Nuclear Weapons Program
Israel maintains a policy of deliberate ambiguity regarding its nuclear arsenal, neither confirming nor denying its existence.
However, it is widely believed that Israel has possessed nuclear weapons since the late 1960s. Estimates of its current stockpile range from approximately 90 to 400 warheads.
The country’s nuclear capabilities are supported by a triad of delivery systems: land-based missiles (including the Jericho series), submarine-launched cruise missiles from Dolphin-class submarines, and air-delivered weapons via F-15 and F-16 aircraft.
This diversified arsenal enhances Israel’s second-strike capability, ensuring a credible deterrent posture.
The existence of Israel’s nuclear program was brought to public attention in 1986 when Mordechai Vanunu, a former technician at the Negev Nuclear Research Center, disclosed detailed information and photographs to the media.
His revelations provided concrete evidence of Israel’s nuclear weapons production capabilities.
Strategic Implications
The Jericho III missile significantly extends Israel’s strategic reach, allowing it to deter adversaries beyond its immediate region. Its deployment underscores Israel’s commitment to maintaining a robust deterrent capability amid regional security challenges.
While Israel has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), it advocates for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, contingent upon comprehensive peace agreements in the region.
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