The Israeli Defense Forces’s ship-mounted Iron Dome [Tamir-Adir] system was declared fully operational for use on a gunship off coasts on Monday.
During the test, the Iron Dome launcher was placed on the deck of the ship and connected to the ship’s radar. The system uses the Tamir interceptor missile developed for the Iron Dome as well as for the Adir radar used in the Arrow system. According to the report, all rockets were intercepted.
The maritime interception system is a collaborative effort of the Israeli Air Force and the Israeli Navy.It is designed to protect Israel’s gas fields and shipping lanes from short-range missiles.
According to Brig. Gen. Tzvika Haimovitch, the head of the IAF’s Aerial Defense Command, the system “added another operational layer” to the existing multi-tiered air defenses, joining the long-range Arrow 3 system and mid-range David’s Sling.
“For the navy, it’s a very high-valued capability because we are trying to defend Israeli land, ships and, of course, our strategic assets,” Col. Ziv Barak, head of the Weapons Department in the Israeli Navy, said.
For now, the system has only been installed on one naval ship, the Sa’ar 5-class INS Lahav. However, the Israeli military is going to install the system to additional existing corvettes.
The Israeli Navy tests a ship-based Iron Dome missile defense system, which is declared operational, on November 27, 2017 (Israel Defense Forces)
Israeli Air Force and Navy soldiers test a ship-based Iron Dome missile defense system on the INS Lahav corvette, which is declared operational, on November 27, 2017 (Israel Defense Forces)
The Israeli Navy tests a ship-based Iron Dome missile defense system, which is declared operational, on November 27, 2017 (Israel Defense Forces)
