Israel's 'Iron Dome at Sea' goes into combat for the first time

Israel fired the naval version of the Iron Dome air defense system to intercept an object that violated its airspace, becoming the first combat use of this weapon.

"After a siren sounded in the Eilat area about hostile aircraft intrusion on the evening of April 8, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) navy identified a suspicious aerial target flying into the territory. The target was then successfully intercepted by the naval air defense system 'C-Dome'," the IDF said today, adding that no damage or casualties were reported following the incident.

The IDF said the object entered Israeli airspace from the east, but did not confirm whether it was an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). An IDF official revealed that this was the first time the C-Dome air defense system had been used in combat since it was put into operation in November 2022.

Video shared on social media shows the C-Dome complex mounted on a Saar 6-class warship anchored in Eilat port launching two interceptor missiles in the middle of the night, creating consecutive explosions in the sky.

Israel's 'Iron Dome at Sea' goes into combat for the first time — The moment C-Dome launched a missile to intercept a UAV on April 8. Video: *X/manniefabian*

C-Dome is the ship-mounted version of the Israeli military's Iron Dome air defense system. The complex provides 180-degree protection against simultaneous multi-directional attacks from enemy cruise missiles, rockets and UAVs.

This complex is not large in size, so it can be installed on small warships such as frigates or patrol boats.

C-Dome consists of three main components: Tamir interceptor missile, VLU vertical launch system and Command and Control (C2) unit. C-Dome is integrated with the radar and Combat Management System (CMS) of the warship, so there is no need to equip a specialized radar for the task of detecting and tracking threats.

The C-Dome system fires during a test in May 2023. Photo: IDF — The C-Dome system fires during a test in May 2023. Photo: *IDF*

The Tamir missile is highly maneuverable with rapid turn-around capabilities, making it capable of intercepting even the most maneuverable targets. It is equipped with an active radar seeker and a two-way data link to receive data after launch, which can correct the flight path and increase accuracy.

The projectile uses a proximity fuse so it can be activated without hitting the target, increasing the success rate of interception.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense , the Iron Dome system using Tamir missiles has intercepted 85% of targets since it was deployed in 2011, making it a central component of the country's multi-layered defense network against attacks from pro-Iranian armed groups in the region.

It is not yet clear which force was behind the attack on Israel on April 8, but the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance movement in Iraq (IRI) has frequently launched UAVs to attack the city of Eilat in recent weeks.

On April 1, a UAV launched by IRI hit a structure at the Eilat naval base, nearly causing damage to a Saar 6-class corvette anchored there.