Israel has successfully deployed a prototype laser weapon to intercept Hezbollah drones along its northern border. The system, a compact version of Rafael’s Iron Beam, was used in combat for the first time during clashes with Hezbollah last October. It reportedly destroyed 30–40 unmanned aerial vehicles using a 10 kW directed-energy beam.
Footage from the Israeli Ministry of Defense showed drones igniting midair. Each laser shot costs just a few dollars, making it a cost-effective alternative to missile-based interceptors. The current system works at short range and is limited by weather conditions, but it marks a major step toward deploying the full-scale Iron Beam system in 2025.
The final Iron Beam will offer higher power and longer range, supplementing Israel’s existing multi-layered defense network. This marks the first confirmed combat use of a laser-based air-defense system, positioning Israel as a global leader in next-generation defense technology.
