Iron Beam: Israel’s New Missile-Intercepting Laser Technology

Israel’s Defense Ministry announced on January 8 that it had made a technological breakthrough in the development of lasers that can intercept rockets and anti-tank guided missiles. According to the Jerusalem Post, Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem, head of the Defense Ministry’s Research and Development Directorate, called this new technology a "game changer" and "the weapon of the future."

Israel has been working for more than 10 years on developing laser technology to intercept various threats. Rotem said that over the years, Israel has carried out a number of successful interceptions on a variety of targets, including mortar shells, drones and anti-tank missiles.

Rotem said, "We are entering a new age of energy warfare in the air, land and sea. The R&D [research and development] investments made by the [Directorate of Defense] in recent years have placed the State of Israel among the leading countries in the field of high-energy laser systems."