Israel completes world's first laser defense system. Israel world's first laser defense system completes.
Israel completes world's first laser defense system
Israel’s Defense Ministry just announced that its new laser-based defense system, called the Iron Beam, has finished development and testing. They’re calling it a “historic milestone” — it’s the world’s first operational high-energy laser interceptor.
The system was developed by two Israeli defense companies, Rafael and Elbit, and it recently went through several weeks of successful tests in southern Israel. It managed to intercept rockets, mortars, drones, and other airborne threats in a range of realistic scenarios.
Officials say the first Iron Beam systems will be integrated into Israel’s air defense network by the end of this year. It’ll work alongside existing systems like the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, which have been used to stop thousands of rockets from groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
One of the biggest advantages is the cost. Each Iron Dome interceptor missile costs around $40,000 to $50,000, but firing the Iron Beam laser is estimated to cost just a few dollars per shot. That’s a game-changer when you’re dealing with cheap drones or rockets launched in large numbers.
The system uses hundreds of small laser beams that focus energy on a target, overcoming past challenges like atmospheric distortion. It can engage threats up to 10 kilometers away and destroy them in seconds.
This isn’t the first time Israel has used lasers in combat. Earlier this year, smaller versions were used to take down dozens of Hezbollah drones. But the Iron Beam is the first full-scale, operational system of its kind.
Beyond ground defense, Israel is also working on airborne laser systems that could further reshape how air defense works in the future.
The push to get this technology deployed gained urgency after the October 2023 attacks, when Israel’s existing defenses were stretched thin by large-scale rocket barrages. The Iron Beam isn’t just a tech achievement — it’s becoming a strategic necessity.
