The Israel Defense Forces’ successful employment of its laser systems is a massive milestone for the nation’s defense industry.
Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems plans to unveil its new High-Energy Weapon Systems (HELWS) at the Paris Air Show 2025. The international aviation exhibition remains the largest show of its kind across the globe. Organizers of the event estimate that around 150 aircraft will be on display, including 2,400 exhibitors from at least 48 countries. Rafael’s debut of the Iron Beam 450 laser director, along with its Lite Beam and Iron Beam M systems will likely garner big crowds at the air show. Notably, the laser weapons’ appearance at the Paris Air Show follows Israel’s announcement of successful drone interceptions by its lasers amid the ongoing Gaza war. “These systems combine high precision and rapid response with exceptionally low interception costs. Rafael remains committed to innovation in the service of Israel’s security,” Rafael’s CEO and president, Yoav Tourgeman, noted.
The Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) successful employment of its laser systems is a massive milestone for the nation’s defense industry. As part of Rafael’s “accelerated” development of “revolutionary interception systems,” the Israeli Air Force’s Aerial Defense Array “operated high-power laser system prototypes in the field, successfully intercepting scores of enemy threats,” according to a joint statement published by the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s R&D arm, the Israeli Air Force, and Rafael last week. In 2022, the laser system reportedly was tested in its ability to intercept a litany of projectiles, including unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-tank missiles, and rockets. The Iron Beam’s eventual introduction to service will add a critical layer to Israel’s air defense apparatus. Considering Israel’s proximity to hostile adversaries, maintaining robust air defense measures is imperative for security.
What We Know About the Iron Beam
The Iron Beam is the culmination of decades of research. Back in the 1990s, Israel and the United States collaborated on the joint Tactical High Energy Laser, which carried out a host of tests through the early 2000s. Upon the eventual cancelation of the THEL project due to budgetary constraints, the IDF continued researching and developing laser weapon potential. Currently, not much detailed information surrounding the specs and details of the Iron Beam has been publicized. According to Israeli sources, the Beam is viewed as a defense system that will work alongside the nation’s existing Iron Beam, David’s Sling, and Arrow 2/3 system. Rafael says that the Iron Beam has “unlimited magazine, with almost zero cost per interception, and causes minimal collateral damage.” The Iron Beam reportedly costs a mere $2 per interception, which is much cheaper than the Iron Dome’s specialized interceptors, which can range in cost from $20,000-$1,000,000 each.
As the Iron Beam continues to prove its worth destroying enemy-launched projectiles in Israel, more foreign interest in the air defense system will likely follow. Germany and Israel are in the final stages of an agreement involving the delivery of the Arrow 3 system to Germany. Finland also sought out a deal with Israel to acquire David’s Sling in 2023. The Iron Beam could very well represent Israel’s most prized defense export down the line.
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 by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
