Iron Dome’s Naval Brother Makes its First Operational Intercept

Jerusalem, 9 April, 2024 (TPS) -- C-Dome, the naval version of Israel’s better-known Iron Dome defense system, made its first operational intercept on Monday night, shooting down a hostile drone over the Gulf of Aqaba, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Tuesday.

“We’re incredibly proud and excited by the first operational interception in a real-time combat scenario of the C-Dome,” Daniel Tsemach, international spokesperson for Rafael Defense Systems told The Press Service of Israel. The Haifa-based Rafael produces both the C-Dome and the Iron Dome.

The IDF did not specify the source of the drone. Since October 7, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have launched numerous missiles and drones at Israel. But in recent weeks, Shi’ite militias in Iraq have also fired missiles towards Eilat.

“Overnight, for the first time ever, an IDF Sa’ar 6-class corvette missile ship successfully intercepted a UAV that had approached from the east and had crossed into the area of the Gulf of Eilat,” the IDF said.

“In accordance with the situational assessment since the beginning of the war, IDF missile boats including Sa’ar 6-class corvettes were positioned in the Red Sea. The Israeli Navy is deployed in the area of the Red Sea and has both the defensive and offensive capabilities to engage with regional threats,” the IDF noted.

No casualties or damage were reported.

The C-Dome system adds a layer of protection for Israel’s maritime assets, not only for offshore gas fields, but for coastal sites such as ports, naval bases, desalination plants, industrial facilities and tourist locations.

Tsemach confirmed to TPS-IL that the C-Dome, which he described as the Iron Dome’s “naval persona,” has attracted international interest.

“The naval space is certainly an active arena. You don’t need to go too far from the Middle East. Given what we’ve seen in the Mediterranean, Red Sea and the [Persian] Gulf, it’s certainly clear that there is a need for defense capabilities at sea,” Tsemach said.

He also noted that the milestone comes almost on the anniversary of the Iron’s Dome’s first operational intercept 13 years ago.

“The Iron Dome made its first operational interception on April 7, 2011. The six-month anniversary of the war was on Sunday and the 13th anniversary of the Iron Dome’s first operational interception was also on Sunday. And two days later, we have the first ever operational use of the C-Dome in combat. It’s certainly appropriate to say that Iron Dome is one of the most active air defense systems and one of the most accurate.”

Israel is also developing what may be the world’s first laser-based air defense system called the Iron Beam, with the hope of deploying it for operational use in 2025. A naval version, called Naval Iron Beam, was unveiled at the IMDEX Naval Exhibition in Singapore in 2023.

Israel is developing a multilayered aerial defense system that has drawn global attention.

The Iron Dome system put Israel on the map with its ability to shoot down short-range threats such as rockets, missiles and mortars.

The Arrow-3 system, which is capable of intercepting missiles in space, made its first interception when it shot down a Houthi ballistic missile in October. It may have been the first time a missile was shot down outside Earth’s atmosphere, but Israel has not confirmed that.

The David’s Sling system is designed to intercept medium range threats at high altitudes and speeds such as ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft and drones.

Israel is also developing an airborne laser interception system.