Israeli defense company Rafael to deliver compact anti-missile laser system to IDF

One of Israel’s leading defense companies, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is expected to sign an agreement with the IDF concerning the delivery of compact anti-missile laser systems.

Once deployed, the laser-based aerial defense system will increase the protection of Israeli infantry soldiers by intercepting enemy anti-tank missiles and other aerial projectiles.

In addition to saving lives, the advanced laser system provides cost-effective aerial protection at a fraction of the expense of current air defense systems.

The new laser system is expected to cost only a few dollars per use, compared to the thousands of dollars required for each interception performed by the Trophy aerial defense system.

"Rafael managed to develop solutions for atmospheric disturbances and concentrate energy into a laser beam capable of striking a target the size of a coin, neutralizing it by unifying multiple beams into a single one before impact," unnamed security officials told Ynet News. "This is even simpler than for shorter ranges than long ones, fit for infantry defense," the sources added. 

Rafael's laser system is expected to be particularly effective against anti-tank missiles and suicide drones used by Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and other Iranian-backed terror proxies. 

In May, former Israeli Air Force Chief David Ivry emphasized the importance of the IDF dedicating substantial resources to Israel's emerging laser defense systems to address the growing aerial threats posed by Iran and its allied terrorist groups.

Former IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ran Kochav concurred with the Ivry’s assessment concerning the need to expand Israel’s laser-based aerial defense capabilities. 

“What new capabilities do we want? What technologies – whether lasers, hypersonic missiles, WMDS (weapons of mass destruction), drones, or mortars," Kochav stated.

In October, the Israeli Defense Ministry signed a $549 million agreement with Rafael concerning the expansion and deployment of the company’s advanced Iron Beam laser interception aerial defense system.

Additionally, Rafael showcased its short-range Light Beam laser defense system at a U.S. Army exhibition. 

"This latest presentation at AUSA highlights RAFAEL’s ongoing commitment to delivering advanced battlefield defense solutions. As global threats evolve, we continue to equip armed forces with cutting-edge technologies to ensure their operational superiority in diverse and challenging environments," Tzvi Marmor, Rafael's executive VP and general manager of the Land & Naval Systems Division stated. 

While Israel’s current aerial defense systems have been effective against rocket and missile threats, they have been less successful in addressing the growing drone threat.

Military experts have argued that drones are more difficult to intercept than missiles because they are slower and fly at much lower altitudes, which often causes them to be mistaken for birds.

Israel announced earlier this month that it is developing complementary laser-based defense systems designed to intercept enemy drones. 

In April 2022, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had already predicted that Israel’s emerging laser-based aerial defense system would change the security and economic dynamics of Israel’s defense systems. 

“We have successfully completed a series of tests on our new “Iron Beam” laser air defense system. This may sound like science fiction, but it’s real,” said Bennett at the time. 

“This is the world’s first energy-based weapons system, that has proven to actually work. The Iron Beam’s interceptions are silent, they’re invisible and they only cost around $3.50. We are turning the tables on terror,” Bennett noted, referring to the significantly reduced cost of intercepting aerial threats such as missiles and drones.