Israel’s new laser defense system, called the ‘Iron Beam,’ is expected to be operational within the next year, according to reports from the Israeli defense ministry.
Designed as a high-power laser weapon, Iron Beam aims to intercept and destroy various projectiles with precision, enhancing Israel’s existing defense systems, including the widely-used Iron Dome. The Israeli defense ministry called this development a “new era of warfare,” reflecting its growing significance in the country’s defense strategy.
Israel has invested big money to get this weapon.
PThe advanced system will target missiles, drones, rockets, and mortars, becoming crucial in Israel’s ongoing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah-backed forces in Lebanon.
Recent hostilities have led to extensive destruction in the region, with retaliatory attacks from both sides. One strike even reached the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Caesarea, a coastal city in Israel.
According to the Israeli defense ministry, Iron Beam will be tasked with neutralizing smaller projectiles, reserving larger threats, such as ballistic missiles, for Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors. Using directed energy, Iron Beam is specifically effective against targets like drones, which are lightweight and have low radar signatures, making them challenging for traditional systems like Iron Dome. Experts told CNN that Iron Beam’s heat-focused attacks will effectively eliminate such agile targets, enhancing Israel’s multi-layered defense.
One of the system’s biggest advantages is its operating cost. Each Iron Dome interceptor missile costs around $50,000.
In contrast, Iron Beam’s laser-based technology functions at a fraction of this expense, making it a more sustainable solution for prolonged conflicts.
This cost-efficiency could enable Israel to counter prolonged attacks without depleting its resources as quickly.
Israel has been fighting a two-front conflict since September, facing off against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The latest wave of hostilities began when Hamas launched an assault on October 7, 2023, causing widespread civilian casualties. According to an AFP tally based on Israeli official sources, 1,206 people lost their lives in the initial Hamas attacks.
Israel’s retaliatory operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of over 43,000 people, mostly civilians, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.