Defending the Fleet: Naval Air Defence in the Drone Era

The Shephard Defence Podcast

In this episode of Designed for Advantage, host Tony Skinner speaks with Rafael’s VP of business development and marketing, Gideon Weiss, and Commander ‘K’, a naval surface warfare and air defence expert, about how navies are adapting to an era of bold, asymmetric threats at sea.

From swarming drones in the Red Sea to precision missile strikes in the Black Sea, the maritime threat landscape is shifting fast.

The discussion explores:

• How multi-domain threats are reshaping naval air defence and counter-UAS (CUAS) strategies.
• The economics of modern naval warfare and ammunition management during high-intensity operations.
• The role of layered, modular and radar-agnostic defence systems, including the TYPHOON Mk 30, C-Dome and Naval Iron Beam.
• Real-world examples of how Rafael systems are deployed to counter UAV swarms and sea-skimming missiles.
• How high-energy laser systems could deliver near-zero-cost-per-shot interception and “endless magazine” potential at sea.
• Rafael’s approach to interoperability, open architecture and strategic partnerships with navies and shipyards worldwide.

Whether you are a defence leader, naval operator or industry watcher, this conversation offers operational insights and a forward-looking perspective on maritime security.