Israel Iron Beam (Or Eitan)

The Iron Beam (Or Eitan) is a high-power laser air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with Elbit providing the laser, designed to intercept short-range rockets, artillery, mortars, drones, and missiles at ranges up to 10 km, serving as a low-cost (US$3 per shot) complement to Israel's multi-layered defenses including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems. First unveiled in 2014, it achieved operational status in September 2025, with the initial combat-ready unit delivered to the IDF on December 27, 2025, nationwide deployment by late December 2025, and serial production underway. From a defense-intelligence perspective, it provides strategic significance by drastically reducing interception costs amid high-volume threats from multiple fronts, enabling handling of simultaneous barrages without ammunition limits (weather-dependent), establishing Israel as the first nation with an operational high-energy laser system, and supporting future airborne variants for technological superiority.