Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, General Eyal Zamir (res.), last night signed an order worth NIS 2 billion to expand serial production of Iron Beam – the first laser interceptor system developed by Israel. As part of the agreement concluded between the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) (Mafat) and the lead developers of the Ministry of Defense Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems Limited (Nasdaq: ESLT; level:ESLT) The production level will be increased significantly in order to provide laser systems at a faster pace. Target date for delivery is MIOD-2025.
Under the terms of the agreement, Elbit received an order worth $200 million for the supply of lasers. Meanwhile, Rafael, the project leader, is responsible for overall order. As part of the contract, Elbit will supply the Ministry of Defense with a powerful laser solution, developed to increase protection against a variety of threats. The contract also includes ongoing support services. Iron Beam is a powerful ground-based laser system for defense against air threats including rockets, mortars, drones and cruise missiles.
“It will significantly reduce the costs of Iron Dome interception.”
The Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Division of the Ministry of Defense is leading the project with Rafael and Elbit. The Ministry of Defense says that in a series of experiments, Iron Beam has shown impressive results. The system will be integrated into Israeli air defense systems, with high power (100 kilowatts) and a range of up to 10 kilometers. It will not replace the Iron Dome system, but will be a complementary solution that will significantly reduce the cost of interceptions.
Laser systems have well-documented advantages and disadvantages. First, the system intercepts one missile at a time, which means that in the event of a bombing, it will only intercept one missile or drone unless several systems are deployed simultaneously. The second problem that complicates the system is the influence of weather that restricts its operations including overcast conditions, fog and haze.
Director General of the Ministry of Defense (Reserve), Eyal Zamir, said, “The Iron Beam deal is one of the most important deals we signed because it heralds the beginning of a new era on the battlefield – the laser era. The first capability is expected to enter the ground-based laser system, which was developed in cooperation between… DDR&D, major companies and startups, operational service within a year from today, and the Iron Beam deal will ensure the continuity and acceleration of the processing of many laser systems.”
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“Rafael is proud to lead the development and supply of the world’s first and most advanced high-power laser system to intercept a wide range of air threats,” said Yoav Turgeman, Rafael’s CEO. “After many years of research, development and monitoring,” major technological breakthroughs in the field of lasers at Rafael and its series “After long trials in which the system’s capabilities have been proven, the Iron Beam system will soon reach a maturity that will allow for its operational deployment.”
“The capability developed at Elbit and the integration of Iron Beam represents a leap forward in future defense against various threats,” added Elbit President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis.
Published by Globes, Israel Business News – en.globes.co.il – on October 28, 2024.
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