Israel unveils Light Shield laser defense system, a world-first interceptor costing about $2 per shot
The Light Shield, also known as Iron Beam, claims to shoot down missiles and drones for a fraction of Iron Dome costs and will be deployed nationwide by year’s end.
Israel on Monday declared its Light Shield laser defense system operational, calling it the world's first laser-based interceptor capable of destroying incoming missiles and drones at a fraction of the cost of conventional interceptors.
Developed over more than a decade, Light Shield fires beams of 100 kW to 150 kW that can strike targets several kilometers away with pinpoint accuracy. When a threat is detected, a high-energy laser locks on and destroys it in about two seconds. Officials describe a mechanism in which hundreds of micro lasers fire at once, and an algorithm identifies which beam hit the target and then commands the others to retarget. The result is a focused hit with the full laser power. Officials estimate each interception costs only a few dollars in electricity, a dramatic contrast with Iron Dome interceptors that cost tens of thousands of dollars per shot.
The system will supplement Iron Dome rather than replace it. It will be integrated into Israel's layered defense, with plans to cover the entire country. After more than a decade in development and successful final testing, authorities said the system will be delivered to the military by year-end. The program is led by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with the Hebrew name Or Eitan applied to Light Shield.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the development places Israel at the forefront of global military technology and that Light Shield creates a layered and powerful defence that preserves civilians with a low-cost, rapid response. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced the success on social media and described the system as a revolution in defence technology. He noted that it operates at the speed of light and that there is no explosion over cities, just clean, silent defence.
However, the system has limitations. It requires dry conditions because water droplets in the air scatter and absorb the laser beams, reducing effectiveness in rain, fog or dust. Unlike Iron Dome rockets, Light Shield must remain trained on a target for several seconds to ensure a precise hit. Analysts say the laser is best suited for smaller projectiles, while larger missiles would still be handled by larger missiles such as Arrow and David's Sling.
Israel's existing air defense network includes Iron Dome for short-range rockets and projectiles, David's Sling for longer-range missiles, and the Arrow family for ballistic missiles. Iron Dome uses radar to detect inbound threats, calculates trajectories and fires interceptors; David's Sling provides longer-range engagement, and Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 address different scales of ballistic threats. Light Shield would add another layer by providing a low-cost, rapid-fire option until larger interceptors engage.
Officials said Iron Dome would not be replaced; Light Shield will add a new layer, enabling countrywide coverage and enhancing deterrence. Bennett also indicated that the technology could be offered to allied nations, but only to friends. The system's introduction underscores Israel's focus on rapid, scalable defense measures amid regional tensions.