The laser interception system. (IDF)
Israel revealed yesterday that for the first time, it used a laser system to intercept dozens of Hezbollah drones in the recent war.The interception system was developed by Rafael and the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (MAFAT).
Just how significant is this? According to Dr. Daniel Gold, the head of MAFAT, “Israel is the first country in the world to present a large-scale operational laser interception capability.”
This system wasn’t developed in isolation. Rather, it’s a less powerful variant of the Iron Beam laser interceptor, which is supposed to become operational this year.
So, they’ll replace the Iron Dome? Not quite—these new systems are there to work alongside Israel’s already existing air defenses. But they have two major benefits that the others lack: As the Defense Ministry said last year, a laser beam is an “effective, accurate, easy-to-operate tool that is significantly cheaper than any other existing means of protection.” It also doesn’t run the risk of running out of ammunition–a constant worry for systems such as the Iron Dome.
