Through a post on its social media channels, the Israeli Air Force announced that it has carried out the first drone shootdown using the ground-based variant of the Barak air defense system, targeting a threat that had already entered the country’s airspace. While no specific details were provided regarding the origin of the drone or the exact location of the interception, it is likely that the incident occurred amid ongoing Iranian attacks in retaliation for Israeli operations targeting its nuclear program.
According to the official statement: “Earlier today, the Barak system from the Air Force’s air defense array intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle that entered Israeli territory. The Barak system was developed in Israel to defend against aerial threats. The Air Force will continue to act to intercept targets that threaten the skies of the State of Israel and to maintain aerial superiority in the region.”
The original Barak system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) platform first introduced in the mid-1990s. In subsequent years, IAI developed an upgraded version known as Barak 8, which has since been exported to countries such as India and Azerbaijan. Within the Barak 8 family, further variants were introduced, including those with dual-pulse motors that significantly extended the system’s range, as well as a short-range version.
This announcement comes just days after Israel confirmed that its Navy had employed the new Barak Magen systems to shoot down eight drones launched by Iran during a peak in regional hostilities. These Barak Magen systems are installed aboard the Sa’ar 6-class corvettes operated by the Navy’s Third Flotilla, which has been involved in over 25 interceptions since the launch of Israel’s “Rising Lion” operation.
The Barak Magen is based on the Barak MX design, known for its modular architecture and integration of advanced radar and sensor systems. These features have earned it a place in Israel’s multi-layered air defense strategy, complementing other systems such as David’s Sling and Iron Dome. This network, along with U.S. support, is aimed at countering aerial threats targeting Israel and protecting key strategic assets.
*Image credits: @idfonline on X
