Tel Aviv. Some foreign countries are showing great interest in the Israeli Iron Beam laser-based air defence system. According to Israeli sources, the interest at this moment comes from the US and Gulf States. The sources added that the actual interest will grow once the system is fully deployed and proves itself in action.
The recent declaration of initial operational capability, established Israel as a leading provider of operational high-energy laser air defence systems. Integration with current Israeli systems like Iron Dome, C-Dome will according to the sources, increase the international interest even more.
Iron Beam was created with significant US support, including over $1.2 billion in American funding and a formal relationship with Lockheed Martin.
The technology has already been shared with the US Army’s directed-energy programme, making future US employment or a US-tailored variation a high-probability. The system has reached an initial capability in December 2025.
According to Brig Gen (Res.) Dr Daniel Gold, Head of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D), the laser based system is expected to fundamentally change the rules of engagement on the battlefield.
Israel’s laser-based Iron Beam air defence system could reduce the number of interceptors needed for close-range rocket defence by up to 20% compared to the currently used Iron Dome system.
The need in such a system was realised some years ago but the current war made the need more urgent. The thousands of rockets that have been launched by the Hamas in Gaza and the Hezbollah in Lebanon forced Israel to give a super high priority to the Iron Beam laser based air defence system.
The laser systems developed by Rafael and Elbit Systems will be integrated alongside the Iron Dome system, also developed by Rafael and operational since 2011.
The control and command algorithms of the Iron Dome will determine when to activate the lasers and when to launch the Iron Dome’s kinetic interceptors, known as Tamir missiles, as well as which type of Tamir missile to launch. Some Tamir interceptors are equipped with special EO sensors , while others are guided by radar to their target.
Like the Iron Dome, the laser system is designed to intercept rockets, mortar shells, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and missiles. However, the laser system is intended to complement the Iron Dome rather than replace it. The Iron Dome generally succeeded in intercepting over 90% of the aerial threats launched from Gaza.
Defence sources say that the initial systems will operate a 100-150 kW beam that will go through a special “lens” that makes it more accurate and effective in burning targets.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
