On Thursday, April 14, Israel announced that its high-powered laser defense system had, for the first time, passed a test aimed at intercepting drones, missiles and other aerial threats. For several weeks now, tests have been carried out, including interceptions of drones, anti-tank rockets or even shrapnel.
“It might sound like science fiction, but it’s real”, proudly expresses Naftali Bennett, the Israeli Prime Minister. He adds that “Iron Beam interceptions are quiet, invisible and only cost about $3.50 a piece”.
The race for the Israeli military arsenal
It’s no secret that Israel has gotten into action, particularly to respond to demonstrations of Iranian forces. Already, on October 25, 2021, the Hebrew country was carrying out one of its “more important” aerial military exercises alongside the head of the United Arab Emirates Air Force. A rather symbolic image, the latter now being one of the few Arab countries to cooperate with Israel.
If the Israeli Ministry of Defense does not yet know the real effectiveness of the device, the objective is clear: to protect the country from any attack.
Although the laser system is expensive, Israel recalls that its previous “Iron Dome” was a real success, with a 90% interception rate against rocket fire. Developed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Naftali Bennett maintains that the new laser missile defense system comes in addition to the “Iron Dome”.
Benny Gantz, the Israeli Defense Minister, took to Twitter, saying that “we have carried out, for the first time in the world, a series of revolutionary experiments on a laser interception system”. He adds that “For the first time ever, a powerful laser system, developed by Mapat and Raphael Blue and White, intercepts missiles miles away.”
International achievement – We have completed for the first time in the world a series of groundbreaking experiments in a laser interception system. The new system successfully intercepted unmanned aerial vehicles, shrapnel, rockets and anti-tank missiles. For the first time ever, a powerful laser system, developed by Mapat and Raphael Blue and White, intercepts targets from miles away. pic.twitter.com/Rr8QBXpUgz
– Benny Gantz – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) April 14, 2022
A context of war with international repercussions
Despite Chinese competition, Israel and the United States are the most advanced in armed drones. A tool that is still widely controversial, since despite its undeniable effectiveness, it causes civilian damage. In this specific case, armed drones are no longer “simple” surveillance tools for controlling borders, but a weapon for intercepting enemy missiles.
In a context of war in Ukraine, Germany finally let itself be tempted by drones, which it nevertheless criticized. The country has decided to buy a total of 140 missiles for an amount of more than 150 million euros, intended to equip the Heron TP armed drones, ordered from the Israeli IAI.
See also: Germany announces 100 billion euros in military spending: a historic change
Moreover, although the debate on the sale of heavy weapons is controversial in the West, several countries have already delivered military equipment to Ukraine to counter Vladimir Putin’s Russian offensive. At a time when the European Union, at least thanks to Italy and France, is considering a new fund financed by a common European debt, Ursula von der Leyen proposes to release an additional 500 million euros for the shipment of weapons in Ukraine.
See also: The European Union will deliver arms to Ukraine, even if it is not provided for in the treaties