Iron beam: Israel plans to use powerful lasers to shoot down missiles in ongoing conflict

Latest update:November 02, 2024 09:41 AM EST

Israel’s Defense Ministry said the new Iron Beam missile defense system will complement the country’s Iron Dome system.

Israel’s Iron Beam is an advanced laser defense system designed to intercept short-range threats | Image/X

In the midst of an ongoing conflict with Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah groups, Israel plans to make a new addition to its air defense system with the Iron Beam system, which will use powerful lasers to shoot down incoming aircraft. shells.

Israel’s Defense Ministry said the new missile defense system would complement the country’s Iron Dome system and other existing technologies, ushering in a “new era of warfare.”

Unlike the Iron Dome, Israel’s famous air defense system that is already popular for intercepting missiles and rockets, the Iron Beam will use an advanced laser system to target incoming mortars, missiles and drones with “unprecedented accuracy.”

Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, developer of Israel’s Iron Dome system, in collaboration with Elbit Systems, Iron Beam can intercept targets at the speed of light at distances ranging from hundreds of meters to several kilometers.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, it features an unlimited supply of ammunition, virtually zero interception costs and minimal collateral damage.

Israel will spend $530 million

Israel’s Defense Ministry said Monday it has committed $530 million to speed up the development of a laser air defense system known as the Iron Beam.

The Ministry of Defense has signed a major deal worth about NIS 2 billion to significantly expand the procurement of Iron Beam laser interception systems, it said.

Defense company Elbit said in a separate statement that the ministry had awarded it a contract worth about $200 million specifically to develop Iron Beam.

The system aims to improve the interception of drones and other projectiles that Hezbollah in Lebanon has launched into Israel since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas.

It comes after Israel announced in late September that it had received a new $8.7 billion military aid package from the US while it is at war with both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.