Iron Beam's cost advantage

Israel confirmed it used laser weapons in combat for the first time, intercepting drones and advancing its Iron Beam missile defense system. — Image credit: Israel Spokesperson's Unit

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Summary

Laser deployment

Israel confirmed it used laser-based air defense systems during the current conflict, targeting drones launched from Lebanon. This marks the first official use of directed-energy weapons in Israeli combat operations.

Iron beam capabilities

The deployed lasers are low-power prototypes of the Iron Beam system, designed to intercept aerial threats at a much lower cost than traditional missiles. Each shot costs less than $5 but has weather-related limitations.

Global race

Israel joins a small group of nations advancing military laser technology. The U.S. and U.K. have conducted successful tests, but Israel is the first to provide evidence of the lasers being used in combat.

Full story

Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed the use of laser-based air defense systems during its current conflict, marking the first official acknowledgment of deploying directed-energy weapons in combat. The ministry used two systems to intercept dozens of aerial threats, primarily drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon. Officials declined to specify when they deployed the systems or how many interceptions were successful.

The Israeli Defense Ministry released footage of the lasers damaging drones midair, calling the results a “major milestone” in modern air defense.

What are the capabilities of Israel’s laser defense systems?

Israel used lower-powered prototypes of the Iron Beam, a 100-kilowatt high-energy laser weapon still in development. Engineers designed the Iron Beam to shoot down drones, rockets and mortars at a fraction of the cost of traditional missile interceptors. Officials expect the full-power version to be operational later this year and integrated into Israel’s layered air defense network, which includes the Iron Dome and Arrow systems.

Laser weapons offer a cost-effective way to counter large volumes of inexpensive threats, such as drones. Interceptions using Iron Beam cost less than $5 per shot, compared to tens of thousands of dollars per missile for the Iron Dome. However, laser systems face limitations, including reduced effectiveness in poor weather and challenges in targeting faster or evasive threats.

What’s next for the Iron Beam?

Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, the Iron Beam is undergoing final tests before integration into Israel’s active defenses. Defense Minister Israel Katz called the technology a “game changer.” Rafael executives described it as the first fully operational high-power laser system used in combat.

How do these systems compare globally?

Israel is one of several countries advancing directed-energy weapons. The United States has tested lasers in the Middle East, but has released few operational details. The United Kingdom conducted a successful trial of its DragonFire system in 2024, striking aerial targets with high accuracy.

British defense officials say the technology could reduce dependence on costly ammunition while minimizing collateral damage.

Jake Larsen (Video Editor), Alex Delia (Deputy Managing Editor), and Ally Heath (Senior Digital Producer) contributed to this report.

Tags: Gaza, Israel, Military Defense, United Kingdom

[RYAN ROBERTSON]

THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES ARE NOW USING LASER WEAPONS ON THE BATTLEFIELD. THE DEFENSE MINISTRY CONFIRMED IT DEPLOYED DIRECTED-ENERGY WEAPONS SYSTEMS TO SHOOT DOWN AERIAL THREATS IN REAL COMBAT—MARKING WHAT COULD BE A GLOBAL FIRST.

ISRAEL SAYS TWO LASER SYSTEMS INTERCEPTED DOZENS OF AERIAL THREATS, MOST LAUNCHED BY HEZBOLLAH FROM LEBANON. THE IDF RELEASED VIDEO SHOWING DRONES FALLING FROM THE SKY—HIT MIDAIR BY PRECISION LASER BEAMS. OFFICIALS DIDN’T SAY HOW MANY INTERCEPTIONS WERE SUCCESSFUL.

THE DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS USED WERE EARLY MODELS OF THE IRON BEAM—A 100-KILOWATT SYSTEM STILL TECHNICALLY IN DEVELOPMENT. THE IRON BEAM IS DESIGNED TO DESTROY DRONES, ROCKETS, AND MORTARS FOR JUST FIVE DOLLARS A SHOT—COMPARE THAT TO MISSILE INTERCEPTORS WHICH COULD COST TENS OF THOUSANDS TO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SHOT .

OFFICIALS SAY THE FULL-STRENGTH VERSION OF IRON BEAM WILL BE READY LATER THIS YEAR.

RAFAEL AND ELBIT, THE ISRAELI DEFENSE CONTRACTORS BUILDING IRON BEAM, CLAIM IT’S THE FIRST HIGH-POWER LASER EVER USED SUCCESSFULLY IN WAR. UKRAINE MADE THE SAME CLAIM OF ITS TRYZUB SYSTEM A COUPLE MONTHS AGO…SO UNTIL THE TWO SIDES COMPARE NOTES, WE DON’T KNOW EXACTLY WHO WAS FIRST TO USE A LASER IN COMBAT.

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, LASERS HAVE LIMITS. THEY STRUGGLE IN CLOUDY WEATHER AND CAN MISS EXTREMELY FAST OR EVASIVE TARGETS. STILL, ISRAEL PLANS TO MAKE THEM A CORE PART OF ITS AIR DEFENSE, ALONGSIDE THE IRON DOME AND ARROW SYSTEMS. U-S BASED LOCKHEED MARTIN IS ALSO WORKING WITH RAFAEL TO DEVELOP THE IRON BEAM FURTHER. THE U.S. ALSO TESTED LASERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, BUT KEPT MOST DETAILS CLASSIFIED.

OTHER COUNTRIES ARE RACING TO MATCH THE TECH. THE U.K. TESTED ITS DRAGONFIRE LASER LAST YEAR, HITTING AERIAL TARGETS WITH EXTREME ACCURACY. SOUTH KOREA SAYS ITS FORCES ARE ALSO DEPLOYING LASERS TO PROTECT CERTAIN INSTALLATIONS.

WITH DRONE THREATS MULTIPLYING, LASER SYSTEMS OFFER A CHEAPER, FASTER RESPONSE. BUT EXPERTS WARN FUTURE DRONES MAY CARRY COUNTERMEASURES THAT BLUNT THE TECH’S EDGE.

FOR MORE UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACT UPDATES LIKE THIS, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY

Why this story matters

Israel's acknowledgment and operational use of laser-based air defense systems represents a technological shift in military defense strategies, signaling both evolving warfare tactics and broader global interest in cost-effective, directed-energy weapons.

Laser defense technology

The deployment of laser-based air defense systems in active combat highlights emerging capabilities in intercepting aerial threats and marks a new phase in defensive technology.

Cost efficiency in defense

According to Israeli officials, laser interception offers dramatic cost savings over traditional missile interceptors, addressing the challenge of countering large volumes of inexpensive threats like drones.

Global development of directed-energy weapons

Several nations, including Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom, are advancing directed-energy weapon systems, which could influence future military doctrines and reduce dependency on conventional munitions.

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Synthesized coverage insights across 57 media outlets

Context corner

Historically, Israel has faced persistent threats from rockets and drones launched by groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, leading to the development of multi-tiered air defense systems. The shift toward laser technology builds on decades of research, aiming to address high-volume, low-cost aerial attacks that traditional missile interceptors struggle to counter economically and logistically.

Do the math

Missile interceptors like those used in Iron Dome cost $50,000 to $100,000 per use. In contrast, a single laser system shot may cost as little as $2 to $5. During the conflict, Israel reportedly intercepted up to 35 drones using lasers, suggesting a total cost of around $70–$175 for those laser engagements versus potentially millions via traditional interceptors.

Global impact

This development signals a shift in global military technology, with other countries monitoring Israel’s advancements as potential models for future defense. The operational success of laser interceptors could influence arms development and procurement strategies internationally, particularly in regions threatened by low-cost, high-volume drone warfare.

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame Israel’s first operational use of laser defense largely as a cautious technological milestone, emphasizing potential cost savings and innovative military adaptation, yet subtly signaling uncertainties through terms like “Light Shield” and first-time deployment.
Media outlets in the center offer detailed technical context and acknowledge limitations, situating the lasers as a complementary, emerging defense layer without overt partisanship.
Media outlets on the right adopts a confident, assertive tone, depicting the laser systems as a “game-changing” “Iron Beam” that decisively “takes down enemy threats,” stressing national security and superiority over Iran-backed adversaries with emotionally charged language such as “destroy” and “cutting-edge.”

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Media landscape

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Key points from the Left

Israel confirmed the use of high-powered laser systems to intercept Hezbollah drones during hostilities, marking the technology's first operational deployment against the group.
The Defense Ministry and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems revealed these systems were integrated into Israel's air defense strategy to neutralize aerial threats effectively.
Dr. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of Rafael, said, "We are very proud of this operational and technological breakthrough," demonstrating a significant advancement in defense capabilities."
Brig. Dr. Daniel Gold called Israel the first country with large-scale operational laser interception capability, highlighting it as a crucial development in modern warfare.

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Key points from the Center

In 2024 and 2025, Israel's military used high-power laser systems to intercept about 40 Hezbollah drones during conflicts along the Lebanese border and Gaza.
This deployment followed decades of development by Rafael and Israel’s Defense Ministry and was expedited due to escalating drone threats from Hezbollah and the evolving combat environment.
The systems include the 10kW Lite Beam prototype and other laser weapons employing phase-locked fiber lasers with adaptive optics, allowing rapid targeting of multiple aerial threats like UAVs and swarms.
The Defense Ministry called this a global first operational success, emphasizing cost-effectiveness as each laser shot costs only a few dollars compared to $50,000–100,000 per missile interceptor.
The laser systems complement missile defenses such as Iron Dome and will expand in use, aiming to transform interception strategies against drones and artillery in future Israeli air defense.

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Key points from the Right

The Israeli Air Force successfully used a new high-power laser defense system to intercept enemy aerial threats during the Iron Swords War that started on Oct. 7, 2023, according to officials.
High-Powered laser systems intercepted dozens of enemy drones, achieving high interception rates, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.
Israel is the first country to successfully demonstrate large-scale operational laser defense capabilities in combat, according to Brig. Gen. Yehuda Elmakayas.
The new laser systems are expected to save lives and protect infrastructure by providing a cost-effective solution to aerial threats, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

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