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.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus]()
Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus
The recent naval modernisation efforts by the Hellenic Navy have been bolstered by the acquisition of advanced Naval Group frigates, the first of which was delivered in December 2025 and is now playing a crucial role in the latest Middle East conflict.
-
![US Navy SPY-6 approaches FRP with Raytheon already having “a hot production line”]()
US Navy SPY-6 approaches FRP with Raytheon already having “a hot production line”
Jen Gauthier, Raytheon’s VP of Naval Systems and Sustainment, told Shephard that the company is awaiting the US Navy’s green light to move “fully into full-rate production”.
-
![Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships]()
Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships
Ireland has a maritime area ten times the size of its land mass but has a limited naval capacity and faces an ongoing threat to critical underwater infrastructure. A new strategy is looking to address the challenge.
-
![How the Golden Fleet will change the US Navy acquisition process]()
How the Golden Fleet will change the US Navy acquisition process
The procurement of the future USN Golden Fleet is planned to be less bureaucratic than previous strategies, involving AI-enabled designs and scheduling tools to increase productivity and avoid delays.
-
![What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?]()
What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?
Collaboration on AUKUS Pillar II extends beyond the core trilateral agreement, presenting global opportunities for companies with advanced technologies.
