This is a system developed by Rafael Group, using high-powered laser technology to intercept missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
With a laser beam capacity of up to 100 kilowatts - considered the most powerful in the world today, the Iron Beam is capable of destroying a target in the air at a cost of just a few dollars per intercept. This technology does not create explosions, but focuses on heating the UAV's body or wing, causing the structure to break down and fall. Assaulting at light speed, the system is described as having unlimited bullet shells and causing almost no side damage.
The Iron Beam is designed to operate within a radius of 10km, to supplement the Iron Dome - Iron arch defense system, which has a wider range. Thanks to its ability to deploy flexibly, operate effectively in many weather conditions and handle many types of air targets, "Iron Beam" is considered a breakthrough in Israel's air defense capabilities.
Although the first information about the implementation of Iron Beam appeared since the fall of 2024, Israel has only recently officially confirmed the practical effectiveness of this system. In the "Iron Threatening" conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared that the "Iron Beam" had successfully intercepted dozens of air threats.
However, this system also has certain weaknesses. In bad weather conditions such as fog or thick clouds, the performance of the laser can be affected. However, Israel still has high expectations for this technology in its future defense strategy. Some officials predict that Iron Beam will be deployed more widely and publicly by the end of 2025.
In terms of trade, the export potential of Iron Beam is huge. However, geopolitical factors may be barriers. Israel is facing negative reactions from European and NATO countries regarding its military campaign in Gaza. Although NATO is increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP, creating a market of hundreds of billions of euros, the export of "Iron Beam" is still uncertain.
Rafael and Elbit systems have been deeply involved in the NATO defense supply chain. Many made in Israel products such as anti-tank missiles Spike has become the norm in Europe. However, according to Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman, the success of Iron Beam in the international market will depend largely on the political situation and diplomatic relations in the coming time.
