World's first operational laser interceptor is operational in Israel

Israel to Buy Laser Defense Systems Against Rockets for Hundreds of Millions of Shekels https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-to-buy-laser-defense-systems-against-rockets-for-hundr eds-of-millions-1.10682024 The new laser systems to intercept rockets and drones primarily from the Strip Gaza, with almost negligible operational costs, are slated to be ready in three years Yaniv KubovichMar. 17, 2022 8:13 PM

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems CEO Maj. Gen. (res.) Har-Even, Brigadier General Yaniv Rotem, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Elbit System's Oren Segev on a tour of Rafael, Thursday.Credit: Israel's Defense Ministry The Defense Ministry is set to close a deal for laser-based defense systems over the next few days, the country's latest upgrade to its defense arsenal with a bill totaling hundreds of millions of shekels.

Ministry officials are due to sign a contract to buy the systems for intercepting rockets, drones and mortar shells in a few days, officials said on Thursday.

Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which are developing the interception systems meant to thwart rockets and drones, have said they are capable of launching the production of an operational defense system within three years, the first of which will be used to halt rockets along the Gaza Strip.

When the Israeli defense industry started developing interceptors that would use lasers to destroy incoming drones, rockets and mortar shells a few years ago, it aimed to produce a focused, long-range laser beam, officials said. It also had to produce a laser beam with a strength of 100 kilowatts, required to destroy rockets and mortar shells up to a range of 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles), they said.

The defense establishment refused to detail what the systems would be capable of, but confirmed they would be able to block rockets, mortar shells and drones some 10 kilometers away.

In this file photo from 2014, an Iron Dome battery launches a missile from Ashkelon in southern Israel.Credit: Tsafrir Abayov / AP “We had slight delays, both technological and because of the corona, but we’re there, and undoubtedly among the world’s leaders,” said head of the Research and Development Department in the Defense Ministry, Brigadier General Yaniv Rotem, who is leading the project.

“We succeeded with two technological breakthroughs to achieve something that, as far as I know, nobody else has," he said. "Our decision to obtain laser weapon systems will lead to a significant upgrade in Israel’s defense capabilities."

The systems currently being developed will first complement the Iron Dome battery on the ground. The Defense establishment is planning to connect the two systems, so that the system will adjust the interception to the threat at hand, and when it’s possible to intercept with laser.

Unlike the Iron Dome, the laser system will be able to intercept incoming projectiles over enemy territory before reaching Israel. The laser system also doesn’t require a steady supply of interceptors while fighting, in stark contrast to the Iron Dome system whose operation requires transporting interceptors to the batteries.

At the same time, Elbit is continuing to develop an airborne laser system, which can thwart threats at higher altitudes and longer rangers than the ground system.

While the cost of every Iron Dome interception is tens of thousands of shekels, the cost of interception by laser is affected only by the electricity required to operate it, estimated at a mere few shekels.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Thursday, “We’re taking a dramatic and important step toward change in the battlefield and upgrading the defense of Israel’s population against the threats developing on our borders from Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, under the auspices of Iran and the terror organizations.”

Speaking to a group of journalists, he predicted the breakthrough could lead to cooperation with countries and large companies around the world in the near future. The defense establishment has so far refused to say what states have shown an interest in the new systems, but did not deny, when asked, that cooperation would also be possible with the Gulf states.

Last month Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that within a year Israel would have a laser interception system.

But corporate and Defense Ministry sources say it will take longer than that before the IDF gets the first system.

“We’re working as fast as we can,” said the CEO Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Gen. (res.) Yoav Har-Even, in response to Bennett’s statement.