Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed the formidable new weapon will be ready for use by the military later this year.
Israel’s high-energy laser interception system called the “Iron Beam” has officially reached operational capacity, according to Israeli officials. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Iron Beam is expected to add to Israel’s already top-tier air defense capability. Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed the formidable new weapon will be ready for use by the military later this year, adding that its Directorate of Defense Research & Development, the Israeli Air Force, and the Rafael defense firm “successfully completed an advanced series of operational tests, which lasted several weeks, to demonstrate the capabilities of the high-power laser system.”
Earlier this summer, manufacturer Rafael debuted the Iron Beam at the Paris Air Show as part of its high-energy laser weapons systems. The Iron Beam 450, an enhanced variant of the beam; the Iron Beam M, a small and mobile variant of the interceptor; and the Lite Beam, a lightweight variant of the beam, were all showcased. The Iron Beam laser system can destroy projectiles at a range of roughly 10 kilometers. As detailed by Israel’s defense officials, this interception takes mere seconds. The futuristic weapon system can engage targets at the speed of light, with nearly zero cost per interception. Additionally, the beam interceptions are reported to cause minimal collateral damage. In all, this air defense apparatus should benefit the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) already unparalleled capabilities. The solid-state laser utilized a solid crystalline material to focus the beam, unlike the liquid or gas materials used by the majority of the chemical lasers conceptualized during the Cold War. Compared to the Iron Dome interceptors, which can range in cost from roughly $20,000-$1,000,000 each, the beam allegedly costs just $2 per interception.
As mentioned previously, the Iron Beam will complement Israel’s multi-tiered air defense system down the line. The Iron Dome represents the first layer in the IDF’s apparatus, capable of thwarting short-range rockets with an efficiency rate of more than 90 percent. David’s Sling currently serves as the mid-tier, used to destroy medium-range threats with ranges too large for the Iron Dome to take care of. The Arrow 2/3 tier is a family of anti-ballistic missiles designed to take out targets both in and outside the atmosphere. Combined, Israel’s air defense systems truly enhance the nation’s survivability against the hostile adversaries that surround it. Since the October 2023 invasion against Israel, Iran and its regional proxy affiliates have launched thousands of rocket, drone, and missile barrages toward Israel. Due to the effectiveness of the combined effort of the Iron Dome, Arrow 2/3, and David’s Sling, countless civilian lives have been saved.
The addition of the Iron Beam to Israel’s air defense will certainly be a bonus. Referring to the Iron Beam, Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that it “places the State of Israel at the forefront of global military technology and makes Israel the first nation to possess this capability,” adding that “Our enemies from Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and other arenas should know: just as we are strong in defense, we are strong in offense – and we will do everything to protect the security of Israeli citizens.”
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
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