Israel has added a new defence system to its arsenal. A shield that could track and shoot down incoming missiles in a fraction of a second. This system, known as Iron Beam was jointly developed by Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. It can also neutralise rockets, drones, and mortar fire. The system has successfully passed the testing and will be deployed later this year. This is an addition to their existing air defence system such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow systems. These systems have intercepted thousands of projectiles launched by Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. But Israel isn’t alone—the US, Russia, and China are also racing to develop their own versions of directed-energy weapons. The big question: Who’s ahead in the global laser arms race?
Iron Beam – Israel’s Breakthrough
- World’s first operational laser air defense system
- Can destroy rockets, drones, and mortars mid-air at near-zero cost per shot
- In the landmark tests, Iron Beam 450 intercepted rockets, mortars, and UAVs with unmatched speed, precision, and near-zero cost per engagement
- Complements Iron Dome, reducing reliance on costly missile interceptors
- Operational advantages: speed of light, precision, and scalability
- Iron Beam 450 delivers extended range, faster response times, and scalability across land, sea, and air
The United States – Directed Energy Experiments
- US military developing High Energy Laser (HEL) systems for the Army, Navy, and Air Force
- Programs like HEL-TVD (Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator) and LaWS (Laser Weapon System) already tested
- Focus: Protecting bases, ships, and vehicles against drones and short-range missiles
- Budget: Billions invested, but no large-scale deployment yet
Russia – Peresvet Laser System
- Russia’s Peresvet laser was launched in 2018, and is reportedly operational
- These are officially meant to target drones and satellites in orbit
- There isn’t much clear information available, and some claims are likely overstated to send a political or military message.
- No one knows the real strength of the system, which makes people doubt if it would actually work well in war.
China – Silent but Fast Progress
- China is developing a laser weapon called Silent Hunter along with other ground-based systems
- These lasers have been tested successfully against drones in public demonstrations
- The Chinese military is also putting money into lasers that can block or damage satellites and surveillance tools
- China wants to use these laser defences as part of its strategy to keep enemies out of certain areas
Israel vs China vs Russia vs US
Israel is the first country to field-test a laser defence system and is preparing it for deployment, which they say it will be operational later this year. The United States has the strongest funding and technology base, but its projects are still in the testing stage. Russia has made bold claims about its laser weapons, but the actual results are still not seen. China is moving quickly with strong potential, yet much of its progress is kept secret.
