“World’s First Laser System to Intercept Missiles, Successfully Intercepts Numerous Targets”
Compensates for the Weaknesses of the Expensive Iron Dome with a Cost-Effective Weapon against Iran and Proxies
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Cha Dae-woon = Israel has deployed the ‘Iron Beam’, a laser-based air defense weapon system developed over more than a decade.
Israel emphasized that it is the world’s first country to deploy a high-power laser air defense weapon capable of intercepting not only small drones but also rockets and missiles.
The addition of the cost-effective Iron Beam, capable of intercepting drones, rockets, and missiles with low operational costs, is expected to enhance the already formidable Israeli air defense network represented by the Iron Dome.
According to AFP on December 28 (local time), the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that it had deployed the Iron Beam laser air defense system to counter aerial threats.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense and defense company Rafael, which developed the Iron Beam, have delivered it to the air force in Northern Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, “The world’s first high-power laser interception system has reached full maturity and successfully carried out numerous intercepts,” adding, “This monumental achievement sends an important message to our enemies near and far. Those who test us will pay dearly.”
Rafael’s Chairman Yuval Steinitz said, “Israel is the first country to deploy an operational laser system to intercept aerial threats including rockets and missiles.”
The laser air defense weapon that destroys drones, rockets, and missiles with laser beams costs only a few thousand won per attack.
Israel aims to enhance its air defense capabilities by utilizing the affordable Iron Beam to address the high operational costs of the Iron Dome.
Considering the cost of a single intercept missile used in the low-altitude air defense Iron Dome is $50,000 to $100,000 (about 70 million to 150 million KRW), the Iron Beam is highly cost-effective.
Israel has expedited the development of the Iron Beam as an alternative to the precise but costly current air defense network.
This is due to the exposure to new security threats, such as concentrated rocket attacks by Iran-aligned forces like the Palestinian militant group Hamas, and Iran’s offensive using cheap decoy drones and ballistic missiles.
During the ’12-Day War’ in June, Israel faced difficulties in dealing with Iran’s overwhelming offensive.
Israel deployed systems like the Arrow, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome, but parts of the air defense network were breached as the intensity of missile and drone attacks from Iran increased.
Consequently, 50 Iranian missiles penetrated the Israeli air defense and fell, resulting in 28 deaths.
AFP described the laser system as aiming to significantly reduce costs while enhancing Israel’s interception capabilities and complement well-known air defense like the Iron Dome.
South Korea also deployed a laser air defense weapon similar to the Iron Beam, called Laser Air Defense Block-I (Cheongung), before Israel late last year.
However, Cheongung currently has low output, capable of targeting small unmanned vehicles, but is expected to develop further to intercept missiles like the Iron Beam.
cha@yna.co.kr