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Israel Delivers Iron Beam, First Operational Laser Defense System

Published December 28, 2025, 18:11

Israel officially delivered the Iron Beam, its first operational high-energy laser interception system, to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The delivery marks the transition of laser technology from the experimental stage to operational deployment. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the system is designed to intercept rockets, mortars, and drones at short ranges and will be integrated into Israel's existing defense architecture alongside Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. Iron Beam has already demonstrated its effectiveness in extensive trials, successfully intercepting various aerial threats. A key advantage of the system is its low operating cost, limited to electricity consumption, compared to the thousands of dollars per launch for conventional missiles. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, hailed the delivery as a historic milestone, emphasizing that it fundamentally alters the threat calculation and deters potential attacks.