Israel possesses the fourth largest defense budget in the Middle East and is ranked 17th globally in military spending. Despite this, the Israeli Ministry of Defense is requesting an increase in its budget for 2023 and 2024, according to Israeli broadcasting authority. Israeli efforts are focused on acquiring the latest weapons to protect its security from armed attacks from Gaza and other areas. Recently, social media users circulated videos showing light beams in the sky over Israel, which experts claimed were the first operational deployment of the laser missile defense system or "Iron Beam" designed to intercept drones and missiles launched by Palestinian factions, according to Russian newspaper "Rossiyskaya Gazeta."
Reportedly, the first-of-its-kind Israeli air defense system "Iron Beam" was activated to intercept missiles from Palestinian resistance in Gaza, ahead of its planned implementation. An Israeli army correspondent for "Channel 14" wrote on X: "For the first time in the world, a laser system developed in Israel managed to intercept a missile launched at Israel during the fighting days," according to Newsweek magazine. Based on those videos, the "Iron Beam" weapon intercepted missiles launched by Hamas fighters. Here are some key details about it:
- The "Iron Beam" is a high-powered laser beam manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, intended for intercepting missiles and short-range projectiles.
- It is a laser anti-missile beam.
- Also referred to as the "Iron Beam" weapon, "Lightning System," or "Laser Shield."
- It is expected to enter service in the Israeli military by 2025.
- Referred to as the "Light Shield" and developed by the Israeli company "Rafael."
- It aims to complement Israel's Iron Dome defense system.
- It is cost-effective, with the cost of intercepting missiles being about $3-4 compared to $50,000 when using the Iron Dome system.
Israel hopes to deploy the "Iron Beam" early next year as a much cheaper alternative to the interceptor missiles currently used to neutralize enemy missiles and drones. The country aims for the "Iron Beam" to be an adjunct to the existing Israeli air defenses based on the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems, which launch interceptor missiles costing tens of thousands to millions of dollars each.
Rafael states that the "Iron Beam" is designed to intercept a wide range of threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which can be achieved from a few hundred meters to several kilometers away. The system uses an unlimited magazine and can be integrated on multiple platforms "to neutralize a wide range of threats with extreme precision" while protecting civilians and military personnel at the same time. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the system as a "laser wall," and tests last year showed it successfully destroyed missiles, mortars, drones, and anti-tank munitions. While the Iron Dome has limited firepower as it launches rockets to respond to attacks, the benefit of "Iron Beam" is that it does not run out of ammunition. Unlike a missile that explodes upon impact, the laser requires several seconds of contact with an object to generate enough energy to destroy it.
