In a statement released on its social media channels yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the Israeli Navy has employed the new Barak Magen missile system for the first time, as part of a broad effort to neutralize a wave of drones launched from Iran. According to official reports, the system was involved in shooting down a total of eight unmanned aerial vehicles, fired from Sa’ar 6-class corvettes. This marks a clear step forward in enhancing Israel’s ability to intercept aerial threats during a period of renewed hostilities.
Specifically, the Navy reported that the vessels involved belonged to the Third Flotilla, whose Sa’ar 6 corvettes have been responsible for more than 25 interceptions since the beginning of Operation “Rising Lion,” aimed at countering Iran’s nuclear program. These ships play a key role in Israel’s air defense strategy, complementing the country’s land-based systems—mainly David’s Sling and Iron Dome—while paving the way for the future deployment of directed-energy systems like Iron Beam.
Although further details on the performance of the new missile system or the precise location of the interceptions were not provided, some known features help narrow the scope of analysis. The Barak Magen is understood to be a naval variant of the Barak MX system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and is specifically designed to neutralize threats such as drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, and hostile aircraft detected by the ship. The system stands out for its modular design, integration of advanced radar and modern electro-optical sensors, and an estimated range of up to 150 kilometers in its original configuration.
The installation of Barak Magen on Israeli Sa’ar 6 ships significantly enhances their air defense capabilities, expanding their role beyond anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Built by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and based on the MEKO 100 design, each corvette displaces around 2,000 tons and measures approximately 90 meters in length with a beam of 13.2 meters.
In terms of armament, these ships now combine the Barak Magen system with a 76 mm Oto Melara main gun, two Typhoon remote weapon stations, vertical launch cells for Gabriel V anti-ship missiles, and 324 mm torpedo launchers, among other systems. They also feature a flight deck and hangar to accommodate multi-mission MH-60 naval helicopters, typically used for reconnaissance missions that complement the onboard EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA radar. The total cost of the Sa’ar 6 program was approximately $480 million for four vessels, funded with assistance from the German government.
*Image credits: Israel Defense Forces
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