At this year’s ASDA 2025 defense expo in Zagreb, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled its latest addition to the cruise missile domain—the Sea Demon, a cutting-edge anti-ship missile system with extended land-attack capabilities. The new missile, aimed at enhancing naval firepower and flexibility, was presented as part of a broader Israeli presence at the event, where several defense firms showcased technologies born from recent combat experience.
“The Sea Demon represents a leap forward in maritime strike capability, tailored to meet the demands of modern naval warfare,” said an IAI representative at the expo. “It’s a result of operational feedback and combat-proven requirements, particularly influenced by lessons from the Gaza conflict.”
Evolution Through Experience
The Sea Demon is the latest in the Wind Demon missile family—IAI’s flagship cruise missile line. Designed for precision strikes in both maritime and land environments, the Sea Demon boasts a range exceeding 200 kilometers, making it a formidable weapon in littoral and open-sea scenarios.
“The modular nature of cruise missile design means we can tailor the payload and range according to mission profiles,” the IAI engineer explained. “By adjusting warhead weight, we can strike a balance between range and impact. This gives commanders more flexibility during mission planning.”
This flexibility is key in modern conflict zones, where navies require tools capable of adapting to rapidly changing tactical landscapes.
Integration With Israeli Naval Power
IAI confirmed that the missile is intended for deployment aboard the Israeli Navy’s Saar 5 and Saar 6 class corvettes. These ships—already fitted with American Harpoon and domestically produced Gabriel V missiles—form the backbone of Israel’s maritime strike capability.
“The Sea Demon will complement and eventually replace older systems on these vessels,” noted a retired Israeli naval officer attending the expo. “Its dual-use capability—anti-ship and land-attack—makes it a versatile asset in both high-intensity naval battles and precision coastal strikes.”
Advanced Targeting and Survivability
One of the Sea Demon’s standout features is its electro-optical seeker with autonomous target recognition. This advanced guidance system allows the operator to monitor the missile during its terminal phase, increasing accuracy and enabling real-time adjustments.
“This is a game-changer in contested environments,” said a European naval analyst present at the expo. “Being able to guide the missile in the final seconds dramatically increases its kill probability, especially in complex littoral zones where civilian and military vessels may be operating close together.”
Moreover, the missile incorporates sea-skimming technology, allowing it to fly as low as 1 to 2 meters above the water’s surface. This significantly reduces the radar cross-section and detection window, making it extremely difficult to intercept.
“In today’s age of advanced naval air defense systems, staying below the radar—literally—is a critical advantage,” said the IAI representative. “The Sea Demon was built with survivability in mind.”
Designed With Export in Mind
While specific technical details remain classified—a common practice among Israeli defense firms—IAI did hint that the Sea Demon is being positioned for international clients.
“We’re targeting partners who need reliable, cost-effective anti-ship solutions,” said the company spokesperson. “Not every country can afford high-end Western cruise missile systems, but they still need capable deterrents.”
Strategic Implications
The introduction of the Sea Demon underscores a growing global demand for multi-role missile systems—weapons that offer both deterrence and precision and can be rapidly integrated into existing naval platforms.
With growing tensions in maritime theaters such as the South China Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Red Sea, affordable yet sophisticated missile systems like the Sea Demon are likely to attract attention from smaller navies seeking to bolster their coastal defense capabilities.
As one regional defense attaché summarized: “In modern naval warfare, the ability to strike first—and strike accurately—makes all the difference. Systems like the Sea Demon allow even mid-tier navies to punch above their weight.”
