Israel’s Ministry of Defense is accelerating the development of the country’s laser air defense system called Iron Beam through a $530 million contract that the ministry signed with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, Breaking Defense reported on Monday.
The contract, which Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced on X as a “landmark deal,” positions the high-energy laser Iron Beam to be operational in 2025 as part of Israel’s Iron Dome System.
The Israeli government-owned Rafael manufactures Iron Dome, a three-layered defense mechanism against short-range threats, such as rockets and drones, according to Breaking Defense.
Elbit is expected to deliver the high-energy laser capability for the Iron Beam system for a $200 million share in the deal. Elbit secured a separate IMOD contract worth $190 million in July to supply its laser-guided Iron Sting mortar munition.
Israel is also pursuing other laser-related weaponry, such as the Lite Beam, a smaller laser air defense system that Rafael developed and demonstrated at the AUSA event in early October. Breaking Defense described it as a miniature Iron Beam version.
Other recent initiatives to boost Israel’s air defense system include the purchase of U.S. F-15 fighter jets and related equipment potentially worth $18.82 billion.