Israeli Navy Successfully Tests Naval Version of Iron Dome Complex

The Israeli Navy successfully completed a series of “multi-system and multi-level” tests to intercept air targets using the naval version of the Iron Dome complex (“Iron Dome”), located on the Saar 6 corvette (Magen class), which was “another important point to enhance the capabilities of one of the valuable ships “of the country’s combat fleet, reports today, May 29, The Jerusalem Post newspaper.

The naval version of the Iron Dome, known as the C-Dome, is a joint project between the Israeli Navy and the Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) under the DDR&D project of the Jewish State’s Defense Ministry. The project also involves the local defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

C-Dome has successfully intercepted forward targets that threaten Israel’s infrastructure and strategic assets in its exclusive economic zone, the Jerusalem publication said.

In November 2022, the Israeli Navy carried out successful C-Dome intercepts, but this Monday’s tests included “a much broader range of existing and future threats that Magen-class ships may face during a conflict, such as ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.”

The country’s military department also said in a statement:

“The tests integrated shipboard systems with the Israeli multi-layered defense system, tested new technologies to improve the operational effectiveness of the multi-layered air and missile defense system at sea and on land. The success of the tests is another important milestone in the development of a set of capabilities to counter existing and future threats in various combat arenas.”

Project Saar 6 corvettes will guard strategic infrastructure such as gas installations and protect commercial sea lanes, which account for 98% of Israeli imports. The Israel Defense Forces decided not to place Iron Dome batteries on the oil rigs themselves for security reasons – instead, the C-Dome was placed on the country’s designated combat vessels, The Jerusalem Post explains.

As noted EADaily, the Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly turned to Israel with requests for military assistance, including the provision of air defense systems. One letter to the Israeli side stated that Ukraine was expecting a variety of defensive platforms, from the Iron Dome tactical air defense system to the Arrow (Arrow) long-range systems. Israel responded by pointing out that it has limitations and operational considerations, especially in Syria, where the Israelis do not want to confront Russia, and it is unable to meet Kiev’s air defense needs. But the then Minister of Defense Beni Gants said in October last year that Israel would help Ukraine establish an early warning system. However, it is still unclear whether these intentions were preserved under the new government. Benjamin Netanyahu.

The transfer of Israeli air defense systems to the Kyiv regime will be a “border crossing”, therefore, despite the persistent requests of the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Dmitry Kuleba, no “Iron Dome” will be transferred to Kyiv. This was announced on October 21, 2022 by the former Prime Minister of Israel Yair Lapid.