Amid the ongoing multi-pronged war on the Gaza, Lebanon and Iranian fronts, Israel had announced the induction of 'new-era' laser-powered Iron Beam into its air defence system. Iron Beam used high-power lasers to shoot down incoming missiles.
The Israeli Defence Ministry said that the Iron Beam will complement the country's Iron Dome and other existing defence technologies. Iron Beam is expected to be operational in a year.
Iron Beam will use a cutting-edge laser system to down the incoming mortars, rockets, and drones, with ‘unprecedented precision.’
The system will heat and destroy the target, including drones, which are small, light and have a low radar signature, making them tough targets for the Iron Dome, experts told CNN. However, low visibility and inclement weather might pose a challenge to the Iron Beam.
Manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in collaboration with Elbit Systems, the Iron Beam is capable of intercepting targets at the speed of light over distances ranging from hundrends of metres to several kilometres.
The Ministry of Defence has signed a major deal worth approximately 2 billion shekels to expand procurement of Iron Beam, a statement said, adding that the country had earmarked $530 million to accelerate the development of the defence system.
Here's How Israel's Multi-Layered Defence System Works
Israel has been honing its multi-layered air defences since coming under Iraqi Scud salvoes in the 1991 Gulf war.
IRON DOME
The short-range Iron Dome air defence system was built to intercept the kind of rockets fired by the Hamas. The system determines whether a rocket is on course to hit a populated area; if not, the rocket is ignored and allowed to land harmlessly.
Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with U.S. backing, it became operational in 2011. Each truck-towed unit fires radar-guided missiles to blow up short-range threats like rockets, mortars and drones in mid-air.
Iron Dome was originally billed as providing city-sized coverage against rockets with ranges of between 4 and 70 km (2.5 to 43 miles), but experts say this has since been expanded.
ARROW
The long-range Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors, developed by Israel with an Iranian missile threat in mind, are designed to engage threats both in and outside the atmosphere, respectively. It operates at an altitude that allows for the safe dispersal of any non-conventional warheads.
On October 31, Israel's military said it had used the Arrow aerial defence system for the first time since the October 7 outbreak of the war with Hamas to intercept a surface-to-surface missile fired from the area of the Red Sea towards its territory. Last September, Germany signed a letter of commitment with Israel to buy the Arrow-3 system for nearly 4 billion euros ($4.2 billion).
DAVID'S SLING
The mid-range David's Sling system is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles fired from 100 km to 200 km (62 to 124 miles) away. Developed and manufactured jointly by Israel's state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the U.S. RTX Corp, formerly known as Raytheon, David's Sling is also designed to intercept aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.