Naval Iron Dome completes advanced interception tests
A C-Dome missile is fired from the corvette INS Oz. (Photo: Israeli MoD)
The announcement of further C-Dome tests comes as a commercial ship was struck by an Iranian-made UAV near Oman.
Rafael, the Israeli Navy and the Israeli MoD have completed advanced interception tests of the naval variant of the Iron Dome air defence system, C-Dome.
As part of the tests, C-Dome was fitted on the second of four Saar 6 corvettes, INS Oz. Oz follows another corvette INS Magen in being equipped with the air defence system.
Rafael Land and Naval Systems Directorate head EVP Dr Ran Gozali called C-Dome the first operational naval defence solution of its kind, adding that the Saar 6 test was a ‘monumental achievement in the development of the system’.
Israeli MoD head Mose Patel said: ‘The C-Dome system expertly identified threats and successfully intercepted them by launching Iron Dome interceptors towards them from the sea.
‘C-Dome... promotes further operational flexibility and has become a part of the State of Israel’s multi-tiered missile and air defence array.’
Rafael’s 17 November announcement of the latest C-Dome test comes after, on 15 November, a commercial ship, Pacific Zircon, was struck by an armed drone off the coast of Oman.
In a 16 November statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said an Iranian-made UAV struck the Liberian-flagged tanker in a one-way attack.
The US said that an examination of debris confirmed the vessel was struck with a Shahed-series loitering munition. Shahed-series weapons have been supplied to Russia by Iran.
The Saar 6 corvettes are designed to patrol Israel’s EEZ and protect infrastructure such as natural gas sites.
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