‘Iron Beam’ laser-based interception system set to become operational in 2025
Originally slated for this year, system uses lasers to intercept rockets and drones for a fraction of the cost of the Iron Dome, but does not function well during inclement weather
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Israel’s in-development high-powered laser interception system, dubbed Iron Beam, is expected to become operational next year, the Defense Ministry said Monday.
“The first capability of the ground laser system… is expected to enter operational service in a year from today,” Eyal Zamir, director general of the ministry, said during the signing of a NIS 2 billion ($535 million) contract with manufacturers Rafael and Elbit.
The agreement between the ministry and contractors will “significantly increase” the rate of production “in order to supply the laser systems on time and at a high rate,” a statement said.
The Iron Beam is not meant to replace the Iron Dome or Israel’s other air defense systems, but to supplement and complement them, shooting down smaller projectiles and leaving larger ones for the more robust missile-based batteries such as the David’s Sling and Arrow systems.
According to the Defense Ministry, as long as there is a constant source of energy for the laser, there is no risk of it ever running out of ammunition. Officials have hailed it as a potential “game-changer” in the battle against projectile attacks.
The ministry has said that the system is an “effective, accurate, easy-to-operate tool that is significantly cheaper than any other existing means of protection” against the threats Israel faces.
Since the war in Gaza began on October 7 of last year with the Hamas invasion and massacre, more than 26,000 rockets, missiles, and drones have been launched at Israel from multiple fronts.
The numbers includes 13,200 projectiles fired from Gaza — at least 5,000 on October 7 alone — 12,400 from Lebanon, around 60 from Syria, 180 from Yemen, and 400 from Iran in its two direct attacks on Israel on April 13 and October 1.
The majority of rockets fired at Israel have either been intercepted by the Iron Dome system or have fallen in open areas. Each interceptor missile costs an estimated $40,000 to $50,000, according to the Institute for National Security Studies, a Tel Aviv think tank.
The Iron Beam system will be able to intercept rockets for a fraction of the cost.
The main downside of a laser system is that it does not function well in low visibility, including heavy cloud cover or other inclement weather.
For that reason, the ministry intends to also mount the system on planes, which would help get around this limitation by putting the system above the clouds, though such a development is still a few years away, ministry officials have said.
In 2022, US defense contractor Lockheed Martin signed an agreement with Rafael to join the Iron Beam development process with the aim of manufacturing a variant of the system for the American market.
Israel had initially planned to deploy the anti-missile system by early 2024, but Monday’s statement indicates that operational deployment of the Iron Beam will not come until the second half of 2025 at the earliest.
