During the ‘Iron Swords’ War, the Defense Ministry’s Defense Intelligence Agency, the Air Force, and Rafael led an accelerated development process for operating new laser-based interception systems, in which defense fighters intercepted dozens of enemy targets.
Photo Credit: : דובר צה״ל
The systems are based on technological breakthroughs achieved over decades at Rafael and the R&D unit at MAPAT.
The laser systems are an additional layer of protection for energy weapon systems being developed by the Ministry of Defense, in addition to the “Magen Or” system currently being developed and expected to be delivered to the IDF this year.
During the war, the Israeli Air Force, including the Air Defense Force fighters, studied and deployed laser systems in the field, resulting in exceptionally high interception achievements that saved civilian lives and protected national assets.
“The State of Israel is the first country in the world to present a massive operational laser capability to intercept threats,” said the head of the Israeli Defense Forces, Brigadier General (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, “The Israeli Defense Forces, together with the defense industries and startups, has been leading the effort to develop the powerful laser for years. The laser vision was demonstrated in practice during the war with tremendous operational and technological success.”
“The IDF combat forces demonstrated courage in the initial absorption and operational operations with great success, from which we have drawn lessons that will be applied with the deployment of the systems for permanent operational use,” he continued. “The laser will constitute an additional interception layer in the multi-layered defense system that was developed with great effort by the defense industries and our extraordinary human capital in the State of Israel. We will continue to advance technology and provide the IDF with systems and technologies that are at the forefront of the world, and we will continue to transform a vision into security, in the air, at sea, on land, and in every dimension and medium.”
“Rafael is leading the energy weapons revolution, and within it, advanced operational laser systems of their kind in the world,” said Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman. “The audacity and creativity of Rafael’s best scientists, together with the enormous investment in research and development, have resulted in an operational-technological achievement on a global scale. Rafael’s defensive and offensive systems have proven their effectiveness on the battlefield and made a significant contribution to the security of the State of Israel in general and in the “Iron Swords” war in particular. Later this year, we will deliver to the defense system the first “Magen Or” laser system to roll off Rafael’s production lines, a system that will change the defense equation and enable accurate, fast, and cheaper interception than any existing interception means.”
“The first operational achievements of laser systems to intercept a significant number of aircraft and weapons during the war are a source of Israeli pride,” said Brigadier General G., Commander of the Air Defense Directorate. “Pride in the development and production capabilities of the Ministry of Defense and the defense industries, and pride in the ability of Air Force personnel, led by air defense fighters, to absorb and operate new and advanced means while fighting. The achievement is the fruit of the labor of many – excellent people determined to do everything possible to defend the homeland.”
