Israel’s $2 Iron Beam Laser Could Disrupt Missile Warfare

Israel continues to overperform in terms of military exports. In fact, the Jewish state officially became the eighth-largest arms exporter across the globe in 2024 when it sold roughly $15 billion in defense products. Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced this unprecedented figure earlier this summer, which represents a 13 percent increase over the previous year.

Of course, Israel is not only selling old weapons, but also making new ones. By the end of the month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is expected to field its Iron Beam laser interceptors, which will “fundamentally change the rules of engagement,” as an Israeli Defense Ministry official has boasted. Speaking at the DefenseTech Summit earlier this month, DDR&D head Danny Gold said that “with development complete and a comprehensive testing program that has validated the system’s capabilities, we are prepared to deliver initial operational capability to the IDF on December 30, 2025.”

When the Iron Beam officially enters service with the IDF, it will play a key role among the nation’s multitiered air defense products. Manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems developed the cutting-edge technology behind the Iron Beam with backing from the US-based Lockheed Martin and more than $1 billion from the Pentagon. According to Israeli officials, the technology driving the unparalleled laser weapon is already being shared with the US Army’s directed energy program. The Iron Beam was initially unveiled by Rafael at the Singapore Airshow in 2014, and when it reaches operational capacity, it will represent the first working HELWS in its class.

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