Israel-Iran conflict: Israel uses 'Barak' defence system to intercept Iranian drones
The Israeli Air Force deployed its advanced 'Barak' air defence system to intercept an unmanned aerial vehicle that entered Israeli airspace, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a post on X on Friday.
The interception marks the system's first operational use within the Air Force's aerial defence framework.
Developed indigenously, the 'Barak' system is designed to safeguard against aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, and other airborne attacks. 'The Air Force will continue to operate to intercept targets that threaten the skies of the State of Israel and the maintenance of air superiority in the region,' the IDF said.
Earlier this week, the Israeli Navy revealed that it had used the naval variant, the 'Barak Magen' system, for the first time in combat.
According to the IDF, eight drones launched by Iran were intercepted overnight by naval forces using the system aboard a Sa'ar 6-class Corvette.
The navy noted that since the start of hostilities with Iran last Friday, approximately 25 drones targeting Israel have been intercepted at sea.
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The Barak Magen system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), represents a significant advancement in Israel's maritime defence, particularly against drone swarms and precision-guided weapons.
Equipped with the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar and capable of long-range interception of over 150 km using LRAD interceptor missiles, the system offers 360-degree threat detection and rapid-response engagement.
Designed for use in maritime environments, it is now operational aboard agile Sa'ar 6-class warships that safeguard Israel's offshore assets, including its exclusive economic zone and gas platforms.
Unlike land-based air defence systems such as Iron Dome or David's Sling, Barak Magen focuses on naval operations, reflecting Israel's evolving military doctrine that places growing importance on maritime air superiority amid rising regional threats.
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