Israel Becomes First Nation to Deploy Combat Lasers in Battle

In a groundbreaking military achievement, Israel has become the first nation in the world to successfully deploy high-powered combat laser systems on the battlefield, using them to intercept a wide range of enemy aerial threats during ongoing conflict. The announcement, made by the Defense Ministry on Wednesday, signals a transformative leap in modern warfare.

“This is a game-changer with an unprecedented impact on the modern battlefield,” said Dr. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the lead contractor for the technology. The laser systems represent the first operational use of directed energy weapons in active combat anywhere in the world.

The systems deployed are early models of the highly anticipated Iron Beam, an advanced directed-energy weapon being developed by Rafael. Using adaptive optics and high-energy lasers, the Iron Beam is designed to neutralize rockets, drones, mortars, and other threats in seconds at a fraction of the cost of traditional missile interceptors.

“Israel is the first country in the world to demonstrate large-scale operational laser interception capabilities,” said Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold, head of the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D). He praised the bravery and innovation of the combat units that tested the systems under live fire.

According to Gold, “We will continue to advance this technology and deliver world-leading systems and capabilities to the IDF, turning vision into security in air, sea, land, and across every dimension.”

Brig. Gen. Yehuda Elmakayes, head of DDR&D’s Research and Development Division, described the deployment as a critical step forward. “During the war, we deployed several high-power laser system prototypes, resulting in significant achievements,” he said. Lessons from these field tests are now being integrated into future models.

These new laser systems are expected to work alongside existing air defense technologies like Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow systems. Algorithms will determine in real-time whether to use lasers or kinetic interceptors like the Tamir missile striking a balance between cost, range, and tactical efficiency.

One of the most compelling advantages is economic: while enemy rockets may cost tens of thousands of dollars, intercepting them with the new laser technology costs as little as $2 in electricity. This drastically reduces the economic burden of sustained defense against missile barrages.

While current laser systems have a shorter range about 8 to 10 kilometers and can engage only one target at a time, their rapid response and low cost offer a powerful complement to Israel’s multi-layered defense architecture. These include the Arrow-3, which reportedly intercepted a ballistic missile in space last year, and the naval C-Dome system, which scored its first operational success in April 2024.

This technological breakthrough marks a new era in Israel’s defense capabilities, reaffirming the Jewish state's position as a global leader in security innovation. By converting science fiction into battlefield reality, Israel is once again redefining how nations can protect their people.

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