Rafael’s Iron Beam Laser System.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Iron Beam Laser System: Tel Aviv: Israeli defence major Rafael Advanced Defense Systems on Sunday delivered the first operational high-power laser air defence system, Iron Beam, to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), marking a major milestone in the country’s military capabilities.
The system was handed over at an official ceremony held at Rafael’s headquarters in northern Israel, attended by senior officials from the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), the IDF and Rafael’s leadership. The delivery follows years of development led by the IMOD’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) in partnership with Rafael.
Iron Beam has demonstrated its effectiveness in extensive testing, successfully intercepting rockets, mortars and unmanned aerial vehicles. The system will be integrated into the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and incorporated into Israel’s multi-layered air defence architecture, complementing existing systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow.
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Israel’s Rafael built Ironbeam Laser Defence System.
Described as a technological and engineering breakthrough, Iron Beam is a high-power laser-based defence system designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats. It combines an advanced laser source with a unique electro-optical targeting system, enabling highly precise interceptions at extended ranges. A key advantage of the system is its negligible marginal cost per interception compared to traditional missile-based defences.
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Rafael Chairman Dr Yuval Steinitz said the delivery marked the beginning of a new era in air defence. “Israel has become the first country in the world to field an operational laser system for the interception of aerial threats, including rockets and missiles,” he said, crediting Rafael’s adaptive optics technology for enabling the breakthrough.
Rafael President and CEO Yoav Tourgeman said the company had transformed a visionary concept into an operational reality despite a challenging security environment. He noted that high-power laser technology had already demonstrated impressive operational performance and reaffirmed Rafael’s role as a central pillar of Israel’s national security.
IMOD Director General Maj Gen (Res.) Amir Baram said the delivery marked the transition from development to serial manufacturing, with additional systems already in production. “This represents only the beginning of a technological revolution,” he said, adding that Iron Beam would significantly enhance Israel’s ability to counter complex threats while improving cost-effectiveness.
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IAF Commander Maj Gen Tomer Bar described the induction of Iron Beam as a significant moment, saying it added a critical new capability to Israel’s air defence forces and strengthened the long-standing partnership between the military and the country’s defence industry.
With Iron Beam now entering operational service, Israel becomes the first nation to deploy a laser-based system as part of its frontline air defence network.
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