Israel sets to secure $530 “Iron Beam” laser air defense system as wars in Gaza, Lebanon rage on

Israel’s defense ministry is making a significant investment in its defense capabilities, allocating $530 million to accelerate the development of the “Iron Beam” laser air defense system.

The system is designed to improve the interception of drones and other projectiles, which have been launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon in support of Hamas in Gaza.

The Iron Beam system will supplement other aerial defense capacities, such as the Iron Dome, which have been unable to intercept every projectile, resulting in civilian and military casualties.

Efforts have commenced as the defense ministry opens talks with defense companies Rafael and Elbit to develop the Iron Beam system, with Rafael being Israel’s national defense research and development arm.

Elbit has been granted a contract worth about $200 million specifically to develop Iron Beam. The ministry hopes that the new system will enter operational service within a year.

The investment is part of a larger US military aid package worth $8.7 billion, which was announced in late September. Of this, $5.2 billion is designated for air defense systems, including the development of an advanced high-powered laser defense system. The Iron Beam system is expected to play a significant role in Israel’s defense capabilities, particularly in its ongoing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.