The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), in collaboration with the Israeli Navy and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, has accomplished a series of comprehensive tests involving multiple systems and tiers using the naval variant of the Iron Dome system, known as “C-Dome.” These tests were conducted under the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s DDR&D. The C-Dome system, deployed on the Israeli Navy’s Saar 6 “Magen” corvettes, effectively intercepted sophisticated targets that simulate threats to Israel’s critical infrastructure and strategic assets within its exclusive economic zone. The operationalization process of the “Magen” corvettes involved the direct involvement of combat personnel from the Israeli Navy in operating the systems during the tests.
The conducted tests encompassed a range of simulated threats that the “Magen” ships may encounter in times of conflict, including rockets, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These tests involved the integration of shipboard systems with Israel’s multi-tier defense system, aiming to enhance the operational effectiveness of the air and missile defense array both at sea and on land. The successful outcome of these tests represents a notable achievement in the continuous development of the defense array, enabling it to effectively counter present and future threats across diverse combat arenas.
The inclusion of the C-Dome system enhances the defensive capabilities of the “Magen” corvettes, reinforcing their ability to safeguard the assets and economic interests of the State of Israel within the exclusive economic zone. By bolstering naval superiority, the C-Dome system plays a vital role in maintaining a secure maritime environment for Israel.
Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant: “The C-Dome system constitutes a significant leap forward in our defense capabilities, and ensures the Israeli defense establishment’s superiority and operational capabilities in the face of growing threats in the maritime arena. The system’s naval adaptation is part of our advanced multi-tier air and missile defense system. I would like to express my great appreciation for the Directorate for Defense R&D, the IDF, and Rafael, for turning a tech vision into reality – developing operational capabilities in the field.”
Head of the DDR&D, Brig. Gen. (res.) Dr. Daniel Gold: “These successful tests are one of the many efforts we are carrying out to improve our air and missile defense systems’ preparedness for future threats and improve system performance in the face of existing threats. The campaign’s success further strengthens our confidence in the defense systems and their ability to protect extensive areas as well as the State of Israel’s strategic assets on land and at sea. We will continue working together with the IDF and Israeli defense industries to protect the State of Israel, while realizing and preserving the State of Israel’s qualitative advantage.”
Director of DDR&D’s IMDO, Mr. Moshe Patel, added: “The Israeli defense establishment is constantly upgrading the Iron Dome’s capabilities on land and at sea to increase its effectiveness. During this current campaign, we successfully tested the Naval Iron Dome’s new capabilities aboard the Sa’ar 6 corvette together with additional systems in Israel’s multi-tier air and missile defense array, including connectivity between systems on-board with those on land, and a new radar developed to protect Israel’s exclusive economic zone. The system successfully identified various threats including rockets, UAVs and cruise missiles, and destroyed them using interceptors launched from onboard the ship at sea, with exceptional precision. The preparation and execution of this test was done in parallel with the successful operational participation of Iron Dome and David’s Sling during Operation “Shield and Arrow”. We continue to provide technological support for current needs, alongside development of new solutions for future threats.”
Head of Material, Technology and Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Ariel Shir: “The current experiment is part of the road map for the development and improvement of the defense capabilities of the defense ships, while providing a response and adaptation to the evolving needs in the arena. This experiment is further evidence of the development and improvement capabilities of the various systems in the face of threats, and the ability of the defense ship systems to operate in an integrated and complete manner – From the construction of the naval and aerial picture, through the discovery, classification and identification of threats and ending with interception and accurate destruction of the threats. These capabilities were achieved through close cooperation with the Ministry of Defense/DDR&D, Israeli industries, Israeli Air Force (IAF) and naval engineers and personnel at the headquarters and on the vessels. The experiment included both an improvement in the existing systems, and a proof of capability for a new anti-aircraft missile, that significantly improves the defense envelope of the defense ships, both independently and as part of the national anti-aircraft network.”
Executive Vice President and Head of the Land and Naval Systems Directorate at RAFAEL, Dr. Ran Gozali: “The success of the latest live trials of the C-DOME missile defense system constitutes another technological breakthrough led by RAFAEL. We are proud of our role in supporting the development of the Israeli Navy’s operational capabilities and of the Israel Defense Forces in general. We continue striving towards executing our mission of ensuring technological excellence and the most capable defense for the State of Israel.”
Post Image- Joint Ministry of Defense- Israel Defense Forces Statement: Another step toward achieving final operational capability of the “Naval Iron Dome” aboard the Israeli Navy’s Sa’ar 6-class corvettes (Image Credit: Ministry of Defense Spokesperson’s Office)
Stay informed of important Counter-UAS industry news from experienced industry insiders on C-UAS Hub. Sign up for a free membership to bookmark your favorite content and receive our weekly newsletter and other important industry updates. News, articles, and informative resources to increase your knowledge and perspective of this evolving security challenge are added daily.
