Barak Magen makes debut: Israel deploys new air defence system against Iranian strikes — How does it work?
The Israeli Navy for the first time, successfully west asian countries deployed its Barak Magen air defense system to intercept drones launched from Iran, marking a significant milestone in Israel’s maritime security capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), eight Iranian drones were intercepted overnight by Sa’ar 6-class missile corvettes patrolling Israel's coastal waters. The interception marked the first operational use of the Barak Magen system and its long-range LRAD interceptor, with all threats neutralised before any damage occurred. “The Navy's missile boat flotilla intercepted eight drones launched from Iran,” the IDF said. “This was the first operational use of the 'Barak Magen' air defense system and the long-range interceptor 'LRAD'.”
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The engagement unfolded amid an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran, with the IDF claiming to have intercepted at least 25 drones since the conflict intensified. The use of drone swarms by Iran reflects a broader strategic shift towards low-cost, expendable unmanned systems to probe and challenge Israeli defences.
Deployed aboard the Israeli Navy’s newest Sa’ar 6-class corvettes, the Barak Magen system was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to counter a wide spectrum of threats — including drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic projectiles — with high precision and rapid response capabilities. What is the Barak Magen defense system? Barak Magen is an advanced naval air defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)to defend warships against a variety of aerial threats in complex maritime environments. Its first public use came in June 2025, when it intercepted Iranian drones targeting Israel.
Key capabilities:
Advanced detection: Integrated with the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar, providing 360-degree threat detection and tracking, supported by electro-optical sensors for precision targeting.
Modular architecture: Can be adapted to various platforms, currently deployed on Sa’ar 6-class corvettes, which safeguard Israel’s Exclusive Economic Zone and offshore energy assets. Barak Magen was built to address the rising threat of asymmetric aerial attacks, particularly drone swarms and precision munitions launched by adversaries like Iran and its proxies. Unlike land-based systems such as Iron Dome or David’s Sling, Barak Magen is tailored for naval operations, providing rapid-response defense against incoming threats from both air and sea.
The system’s debut signals a doctrinal shift in Israeli defence, prioritising maritime air superiority to secure strategic interests at sea. As offshore gas production grows in importance, systems like Barak Magen offer a critical shield for Israel’s economic infrastructure.
Its integration with compact yet heavily armed Sa’ar 6-class warships illustrates a modern naval approach — using agile, multi-role vessels equipped with cutting-edge technology to counter increasingly complex threats.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), eight Iranian drones were intercepted overnight by Sa’ar 6-class missile corvettes patrolling Israel's coastal waters. The interception marked the first operational use of the Barak Magen system and its long-range LRAD interceptor, with all threats neutralised before any damage occurred. “The Navy's missile boat flotilla intercepted eight drones launched from Iran,” the IDF said. “This was the first operational use of the 'Barak Magen' air defense system and the long-range interceptor 'LRAD'.”
The engagement unfolded amid an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran, with the IDF claiming to have intercepted at least 25 drones since the conflict intensified. The use of drone swarms by Iran reflects a broader strategic shift towards low-cost, expendable unmanned systems to probe and challenge Israeli defences.
Deployed aboard the Israeli Navy’s newest Sa’ar 6-class corvettes, the Barak Magen system was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to counter a wide spectrum of threats — including drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic projectiles — with high precision and rapid response capabilities. What is the Barak Magen defense system? Barak Magen is an advanced naval air defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
Key capabilities:
- Multi-layered protection: Capable of neutralising drones, cruise missiles, sea-skimming missiles, ballistic threats, and even enemy aircraft.
- Long-range interception: Utilises the LRAD (Long-Range Active Defense) interceptor missile, which can engage targets at distances exceeding 150 km.
The system’s debut signals a doctrinal shift in Israeli defence, prioritising maritime air superiority to secure strategic interests at sea. As offshore gas production grows in importance, systems like Barak Magen offer a critical shield for Israel’s economic infrastructure.
Its integration with compact yet heavily armed Sa’ar 6-class warships illustrates a modern naval approach — using agile, multi-role vessels equipped with cutting-edge technology to counter increasingly complex threats.
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