Israel will deploy its Iron Beam laser defence system by the end of the year, following the high-power system’s completion of operational testing in September, becoming the first country to field a combat-ready laser air defence system.
The 100-kilowatt system successfully intercepted missiles, mortar shells, unmanned aerial vehicles and other aircraft during weeks of trials, demonstrating its ability to destroy targets with precision within seconds, the Israeli Defence Ministry stated.
Iron Beam will provide Israel with a fifth layer of air defence, supplementing the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow 2 and 3 systems.
While existing systems achieve interception rates of 90-95% against offensive missile systems, their performance against drones and unmanned aerial vehicles has been lower, shooting down only about 50%.
The laser system is designed to counter very low-flying devices tracking the ground, a capability that previous systems lacked.
One of the most dangerous threats to Israel is the Iranian Shahed unmanned aircraft in its multiple iterations.
The Shahed 136 drone has a carbon-fibre body, making it difficult to track on radar, and an electric motor that allows it to fly silently for up to 2,000 kilometres.
The Shahed 149 can carry 13 bombs, while the 191 can be equipped with two missiles with a total payload of 50 kg. Both are capable of destroying civilian infrastructure.
The Shahed, developed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, has been used to hit several communities in northern Israel, with successful attacks recorded in Eilat, the Jordan Valley and elsewhere.
One unmanned aircraft reached Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home in Caesarea from Lebanon.
Israeli soldiers on the northern border have struggled to respond effectively to the drone threat. However, a lower-powered version of the Iron Beam laser was already used in combat in October 2024, shooting down some 35 to 40 Hezbollah drones
What makes it so cheap?
Iron Beam combines laser weaponry with its own sensors, fire control system, radar, electro-optical sensors and high-resolution tracking cameras, as well as a fire control computer.
The system offers low-cost protection against sophisticated offensive threats. A shot costs only a few cents in electricity for a 100-kilowatt discharge, compared to $10,000-$100,000 or more per rocket.
The laser requires no expendable ammunition, eliminating costs for explosives, propellant, guidance systems and composite bodies. It also requires no logistical supply chain, warehousing or shipping, and cannot run out of stock.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which secretly developed Iron Beam, is one of Israel’s three major defence companies alongside IAI and Elbit.
The company specialises in precision weapons, including the Spike family of anti-tank missiles sold to 39 countries.
Rafael’s Trophy active defence system is the only one in the world to have been used in combat and has been fielded by the US Army.
The company also produces David’s Sling, purchased by Finland. Most of Rafael’s equipment is compatible with NATO platforms.