Israel could have operational laser defense against ballistic missiles in 2030

Israel could have an operational laser defense system against ballistic missiles from Iran and other adversaries in five years, according to Maj. Gen. (res.) Michael Edelstein, senior vice president for strategy at the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems. 

“We are starting with adaptation for fighter jets,” Edelstein said. “The technological breakthrough has already happened. Now it’s a matter of reaching production,” he continued. 

Israel’s advanced multilayered aerial defense system reportedly intercepted some 90% of the over 500 missiles that Iran fired at the Jewish state during the Israel-Iran war in June. However, Elbit Systems' evolving laser defense breakthrough seeks to offer a robust aerial defense system at a significantly lower cost compared to current defense systems. 

In April 2022, the former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett explained the cost benefits of developing a laser-based aerial defense system known as the Iron Beam. 

“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,” Bennett stated. 

“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,” he added. By contrast, current missile interceptors are very expensive and cost tens of thousands of dollars. 

The laser-based aerial defense system is therefore expected to become a game-changer. 

The U.S. defense company Lockheed Martin signed a cooperation agreement with the Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems company already in 2021 concerning the development of a laser defense system. 

“We are honored to work with the Israeli government and industry to address this critical security need that will support Israel’s national security. Rafael is a world-class defense company, and we look forward to expanding our existing collaboration by leveraging our respective capabilities in high-energy laser systems to address this growing threat,” Tim Cahill, Lockheed Martin senior vice president of Global Business Development, stated at the time. 

Last October, the Israeli Defense Ministry signed an agreement to increase the production of Iron Beam in cooperation with the Israeli defense companies Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. 

Defense Ministry Dir.-Gen. (res.) Dr. Danny Gold emphasized at the time that the Iron Beam is not expected to replace but to become a complementary system to the existing aerial defense systems. 

“Iron Beam will be a complementary system to the Iron Dome system. The combination of laser interception and missile interception will further tighten the defense envelope against rockets, missiles, drones, cruise missiles, and other threats,” Gold assessed. 

In June, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems presented three different variants of laser-based aerial defense systems ahead of the Paris Air Show.

Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s former Minister of Strategic Affairs and current Rafael chairman, explained the importance of advancing laser-based defense systems. 

"The importance of this development cannot be overstated, and not only from the point of view of Israel and the security implications," Steinitz stated. He revealed that the development of laser technology has been several years in the making. 

“Five years ago, three researchers with PhDs in physics at Rafael made a breakthrough that will be remembered in the history of technology. They managed to transmit the laser precisely, so that steel can be cut at a range of a kilometer, and that made laser weapons possible,” Steinitz explained.