Israel has officially activated its Iron Beam laser air defense system, with the first unit delivered to the Israeli Air Force on Dec. 29 by the Ministry of Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, reports Seth J. Frantzman of Breaking Defense. Known in Hebrew as “Or Eitan,” the system successfully intercepted rockets, mortars, and drones during extensive testing and will be integrated into Israel’s multi-layered air defense network alongside Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. Capable of engaging threats at ranges of around 10 kilometers, Iron Beam represents the world’s first fully operational high-power laser defense system, offering a lower-cost complement to traditional kinetic interceptors. Fratzman writes:
Israel’s Iron Beam laser air defense system is officially active.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems delivered the first Iron Beam system to the Israeli Air Force on Dec. 29, just getting in under the wire on a promise to deliver Iron Beam before the end of the year, according to a joint press release.
The ministry noted that the system, known as “Or Eitan” in Hebrew, was run through “an extensive series of tests against various threats and successfully intercepted rockets, mortars, and UAVs, will be integrated into the IAF and incorporated into Israel’s multi-layered aerial defense array as a complementary capability to the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems.” […]
The potential for laser-based interception of drones, missiles and rockets is one long-desired by militaries, given the cost discrepancy between an expensive kinetic interceptor and incoming small drones or rockets. The Iron Beam can burn or fry objects at a range of around ten kilometers, according to previous statements. […]
Rafael has made a big bet on laser systems as a supplement for its vaunted Iron Dome air defense system, replacing kinetic interceptors with directed energy that is significantly cheaper. The firm has developed several types of laser defenses over the last years, including a smaller version called Lite Beam and also a mobile version. The lasers have already been used to down threats, Israeli officials said in May 2025.
Other industry partners include Elbit Systems, “which is responsible for the laser source, as well as other defense industries, including SCD and Shafir Systems,” according to the release.
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