Concrete vs. Weaponry

“The homefront is the army, and the country the frontlines.” This 1961 observation from Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, is just as relevant today as it was back then, claims Major General Aviv Kochavi, chief of the IDF Directorate of Military Intelligence. “Israel is threatened by no less than 200,000 rockets and missiles.”

One thing is clear: the enemy is constantly improving his weapons layout and replenishing his ordnances. Under these circumstances, Israel must prepare its defense to keep the country functioning in wartime. Civilians have to survive, security forces have to operate, and national infrastructures – the fuel of civilian life and the war effort – have to remain intact. No foolproof solution exists for national defense. The best we can do is to apply integrated solutions that provide a reasonable answer to protection.

Since the Second Lebanon War, Israel’s security forces have been working overtime to prepare the military and civilian homefront for the next round of fighting. Tremendous progress has been made, but there is still much to do. We are continuously looking for “tie breakers” that will provide a long “breathing space” when the missiles start falling. Defense is only one layer among many whose goal is to furnish a wide spectrum of solutions for national continuity.

In planning national protection, a number of principles have to be kept in mind: first, decentralization – don’t put all the eggs in one basket. Second, prioritize vital industries and clone essential infrastructures and energy supplies, including human resources. Third, secure the road networks and transportation layouts to enable freedom of movement to every part of the country.

Gaining a breathing space requires creating a safe zone that enables effective, unlimited operations for essentials such as power stations, listening and deciphering posts, civilian and military command and control centers, and key government institutions.

For years, Israel has been building reinforced concrete structures in massive proportions, but concrete is not the ideal solution, for there will always be some type of weapon that can penetrate it. A perpetual race exists between concrete and explosives, and even the strongest concrete fortification ends up on the losing side of the equation.

One possible game breaker is to integrate concrete into the wide-scale use of underground structures, which, in addition to being stronger and safer than aboveground ones, solves problems in densely populated areas. Underground parking lots can be converted into emergency hospitals, accommodations in inclement weather, and shelters for high-level security data.

Israel’s security forces have been using underground structures for years, so what I propose is not an original solution. On the other hand, a concept and a clearly defined policy are needed in order to extend the use of underground structures, especially given the penetrating capability and lethality of enemy fire.

Israel is threatened from all directions with deadly weapons that can reach every inch of the country. It has to be able to function uninterrupted in wartime. We have no choice but to move the bulk of the nation’s security assets underground and provide them with optimal defense.

I am even willing to learn a thing or two from our enemies that are adept at exploiting the underground layer to ensure they will be able to function effectively with a long breathing space.

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