Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense becomes operational at sea

The “Iron Dome of the Sea” has become operational and demonstrates the navy’s ability to protect Israel’s strategic assets at sea.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

A new maritime missile defense system, dubbed the Iron Dome of the Sea, has become operational and will now be deployed to protect Israel’s strategic assets in the Mediterranean.

The IDF announced on Monday that the new maritime missile defense system has completed the final phase of testing. The system has been deployed on a navy vessel and its objective is to defend  Israel’s offshore gas rigs  and other sea vessels.

The system was declared operational after it successfully passed a series of tests that included facing scenarios it may be required to contend with during an attack by Hezbollah from Lebanon.

This new elements in Israel’s defense is the result of a successful collaboration between the Israeli navy and air force.

The Iron Dome anti-rocket system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells and is part of Israel’s four-tiered air defense systems. It has successfully demonstrated its ability to intercept short-range missiles fired at Israel by Gaza-based terrorists, and over the past decade it has shot down more than 1,200 such rockets.

The new system, named Tamir Adir, Hebrew for “hidden and mighty,” has the ability to shoot down short-range rockets.

Hamas attempted to fire rockets at Israel’s gas fields during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014, but failed due to the inaccuracy of its weaponry.

Successful testing of the new system demonstrates the navy’s ability to protect Israel’s strategic assets at sea against short-range strategic rockets,” said Ariel Shir, head of operational systems in the navy, earlier this year.