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Jun 08, 2025

Is Israel's Iron Beam the world's most powerful laser defense system? | The Jerusalem Post

The missile and drone threat that Israel has been facing over the past year on many fronts, is being handled by a series of different defense systems that "communicate" with each other. It is based on

The missile and drone threat that Israel has been facing over the past year on many fronts, is being handled by a series of different defense systems that "communicate" with each other. It is based on the multi-layered defense system that has been developed in recent years with the investment of billions of dollars. A powerful weapon that is going to be added to the Israeli defense system is interception using a laser beam.

The Iron Beam project received a significant boost with the signing of a NIS 2 billion deal by Defense Ministry Director General General (res.) Eyal Zamir to expand serial production of the laser interception system.

As part of the deal, Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE:ESLT) received a $200 million contract from the Ministry of Defense for the supply of the laser, while Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is responsible for the launcher.

What is the system, and what are its advantages and disadvantages, and does it constitute the future of Israel's air defenses?

Unlike the Koreans, the UK is lagging behind Israel with its DragonFire system, which completed a successful trial at the start of the year in Scotland. The UK has invested pound100 million ($130 million) in the project, while the Koreans invested $132 million in their project.

Three weeks ago, the TWZ website reported that the Chinese laser defense system Shen Nung was deployed during a public appearance in Tehran by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the report the system is designed to dazzle drones and even intercept them in certain circumstances. She Nung's radar can identify threats up to a range of five kilometers, while the laser beam has a power of 10-20 kilowatts. It can dazzle drones at a range of three kilometers and intercept them at a range of 1.5 kilometers. The laser can be operated for 200 seconds and then requires five minutes to recharge.

"The military microwave is still in the development stage, but its great advantage is that the microbeam (as opposed to the laser) is focused and can attack more targets," explains Dr. Kalisky. "On the other hand, it is more effective for electronic and optical components and less for a ballistic missile."