Heralding a new era in modern warfare, the Israeli armed forces have inducted the world’s first laser air defense system, Iron Beam, into their arsenal. On Sunday, Israel’s Minister of Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems handed over the system to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
“Israel has achieved a major technological breakthrough in defense with the delivery of its first operational high-power laser system, “Or Eitan (Iron Beam), to the IDF,” Israel’s i24NEWS TV channel reported. “The handover took place Sunday at Rafael’s facility, with Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior military and industry officials in attendance.”
The laser-based system will not replace Iron Dome and other effective missile and drone interceptors, but will add to Israel’s air defense shield against aerial attacks. Iron Beam will be joining “Israel’s multi-layered air defense network, complementing the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems,” the broadcaster added.
Developed by the Israeli defense company, Rafael, Iron Beam is regarded as a true game-changer, capable of intercepting a range of hostile projectiles at a minimal cost. The system “has an unlimited magazine, with almost zero cost per interception, and causes minimal collateral damage,” Rafael said on its website. “It quickly and effectively engages and neutralizes a wide array of threats from a range of hundreds of meters to several kilometers.”
The IDF, in a statement on Sunday, described Iron Beam as “a global technological and engineering breakthrough,” capable of taking out “a wide range of targets at an enhanced operational range, with maximum precision and superior efficiency – all at a negligible marginal cost.”
The Israeli business daily Globes reported Sunday:
After a complex development process, Israel’s Ministry of Defense Directorate of Defense R&D (DDR&D) (MAFAT) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems this morning delivered the first Iron Beam high energy laser defense system to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).The system, which has proven its effectiveness in an extensive series of trials against a variety of threats, and has successfully intercepted rockets, mortars and drones, is being received by the Israel Air Force and integrated into Israel’s multi-layered defense system, as a complementary capability to the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and the Arrow air missile defense systems. (…)Iron Beam represents a world-class technological and engineering breakthrough. It is a powerful laser system for protection against aerial threats (rockets, mortar bombs, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc.). The system is equipped with an advanced laser source and a unique electro-optical aiming system, which allows it to intercept a wide range of targets with an upgraded operating range, maximum accuracy and very high efficiency, all at a negligible cost – which is the main advantage of the laser systemThe system is intended to complement Iron Dome, with both being operated from the same control vehicle. The Iron Dome is an interception system for rocket threats within a range of 40 kilometers, while Iron Beam will have a range of up to 10 kilometers, using a powerful laser beam with a power of about 100 kilowattsIron Beam has a major advantage over Iron Dome in terms of cost. While each interception by Iron Dome costs an estimated $30,000, an interception by Iron Beam will cost only about $5-10 per interception, due to the use of high energy. However, the laser has a significant decrease in effectiveness during cloudy and hazy conditions, Due to the challenges of the laser, and the different ranges, Iron Beam and Iron Dome will be deployed side by side. Iron Beam will be deployed at borders, population centers and strategic infrastructures to protect them from missiles, rockets, drones and mortars.
This Israeli breakthrough in warfare was born out of necessity. In recent years, Israel’s enemies — notably Hamas and Iran — have tried to overwhelm air defense systems, like the Iron Dome, by firing massive barrages of rockets and missiles.
Tens of thousands of missiles, rockets, and drones have been fired at Israel by Iran and its terrorist proxies since the Hamas-led October 7 massacre. “Over 30,000 rockets, missiles and various other projectiles have been fired at Israel during the course of this war,” Israel’s Ynetnews reported in June 2025.
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