Israel’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed the completion of its cutting-edge laser air-defense system, Iron Beam, setting the stage for deployment by December 2025.
Daniel Gold, head of the ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development, announced the breakthrough at a defense summit in Tel Aviv, describing the system as a major technological turning point. “The Iron Beam laser system is expected to fundamentally change the rules of engagement on the battlefield,” Gold said, emphasizing that a comprehensive testing campaign has successfully validated the system’s performance.
He added that the platform is expected to reach initial operational capability by the end of the year.
The announcement comes at a tense moment, as Israeli forces continue to intensify strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure despite a ceasefire that has held for more than a year. When approached by AFP, the Ministry of Defense declined to provide further details on the upcoming deployment timeline or its immediate implications.
More than a decade in development, Iron Beam is a collaborative project between state-owned defense manufacturer Rafael and Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems.
The new system is designed to enhance Israel’s interception of drones, rockets, and other airborne threats, and will complement the country’s existing multilayered defenses, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow missile series.
Momentum behind Iron Beam accelerated after the 12-day confrontation with Iran in June, during which Israel’s missile-defense network was unable to stop all incoming projectiles. Israel later confirmed that more than 50 missiles had struck its territory, resulting in 28 deaths.
Rafael calls Iron Beam a ground-based, high-energy laser system capable of neutralizing targets within seconds—at a negligible cost compared with conventional interceptor missiles. Its deployment is expected to mark a significant leap forward in the evolution of modern air-defense technology.
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