Israel’s Iron Dome defense system is a technological marvel, but it is not a perfect solution to Israel’s defense needs. The most significant drawback is that, chas v’shalom, a massive rocket attack could be overwhelming. Israel claims that its existing systems have a 90% intercept rate, but that still leaves serious danger from the 10% that gets through. In an unusually large attack, that would be devastating.
Another drawback is the high cost of using some defense systems. The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that each Iron Dome interceptor costs $40,000–$50,000 to produce. AI Overview puts that number as high as $100,000–$150,000 when factoring in the costs of radar, personnel, and fuel – costs that would soar during prolonged conflicts.
Since October 7, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran have fired thousands of rockets aimed at civilian targets in Israel. Most were shot down, but not all. We saw an example of that on September 24, when a Houthi drone slammed into a hotel and shopping area in Eilat in southern Israel, injuring 50 people, two of them seriously.
True, intercepting enemy rockets and missiles is worth almost any price. But for a financially strapped country like Israel, which is fighting wars on several fronts, the expense is astronomical and worsens an already difficult economic situation. This was one of the reasons Israel developed a new, state-of-the-art system.
By Year’s End
Israel calls this system the Iron Beam, which will complement the country’s already extensive air-defense arsenal. Having been in development for more than a decade, it successfully completed final testing in September and is expected to be fully deployed by the end of 2025.
The Iron Beam is designed to eliminate threats from drones, rockets, cruise missiles, and even long-range ballistic missiles efficiently. To date, Israel is the only country in the world with such technology.
The Iron Beam is the joint creation of Israel’s Defense Ministry, Air Force, and the defense firms Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit. Its secret is a high-energy laser that destroys incoming threats. According to AI Overview, “The laser damages or destroys the target’s fins, warheads, or components, causing it to destabilize or overheat and fail before ever reaching its intended destination.”
The interception occurs at the speed of light, offering near-instant neutralization. It is extremely accurate, can be fired repeatedly without running out of ammunition, and at a price of just $3 per shot, is practically negligible.
By comparison, Israel’s Arrow missiles cost $2 million each – the price of knocking out a single ballistic missile fired from Iran or elsewhere, assuming the Arrow hits the target on the first shot. It is easy to see how costs can skyrocket in moments.
With Iron Beam, Israel can now intercept countless threats inexpensively, instantly, and continuously – no reloads, no resupplies, and no delays. One commentator for Israel News put it this way: “As long as there is power, it fires. As long as the enemy attacks, their weapons are turned into smoke. This is a weapon built for the future, and Israel built it first. Israel protects life, and we’re doing it smarter, faster, cheaper, and better than anyone else.”
According to an article on Zero Hedge, a low-powered version of the laser has already been used successfully to shoot down drones in the war with Hezbollah. An Israeli defense source said that in tests already completed, “Iron Beam intercepted rockets, mortars, and UAVs with unmatched speed, precision, and near-zero cost per engagement – a breakthrough that set a new global benchmark in air defense.”
The Eye in the Sky
On September 2, Israel launched the Ofek-19 reconnaissance satellite, and in some ways it is even more impressive. Ofek-19 uses advanced radar technology that enables it to capture high-resolution images day and night in all weather conditions. It will be used to analyze potential threats from regional hot spots in countries like Iran, Iraq, and Yemen. This satellite can detect and monitor objects as small as 50 cm (less than 20 inches). It is expected to play a major role in military planning, early warning, and decision-making systems. Israel is one of only a handful of nations that possess such satellite technology.
Iron Beam, Ofek-19, and other high-tech systems are helping to set the stage for a new style of warfare that will incorporate far more AI, robotics, electronics, and rocketry, reducing reliance on human involvement. While the benefits of this approach can be debated, the trend is clear.
Countries are watching closely. Germany has already announced that it will add this system to its arsenal. It is very possible that other nations are considering similar moves but have not yet made them public, either because the system is still so new or because of growing diplomatic hostility toward Israel and those who support her.
A Farewell to Arms?
Does this mean the threats to Israel have been neutralized? Unfortunately not. Israel’s enemies still possess very lethal weapons. For example, before the current war, Hezbollah had stockpiled an estimated 150,000 rockets aimed at Israel and had precision-guided missile factories as well. While many of these weapons were destroyed, it is very possible that some remain operational.
Moreover, the Houthis still possess ballistic missiles, and Iran is reportedly testing new ones – all aimed at Israel.
Countries and groups hostile to Israel continue to devote immense resources to developing and improving their weapons or buying the latest systems from countries such as Russia and China, as well as from the black market.
In a very real sense, Israel must defend itself not only against Iran and the Houthis but also against the newest systems produced by nations determined to defeat the Iron Dome and other Israeli defenses. The bad guys never rest – and that means neither can Israel. With Hashem’s help, it will stay ahead of all its ruthless enemies.
Sources: AI Overview; ajc.org; rnz.nz.co; zerohedge.com; ILTV; YouTube: Israel’s Game-Changing Iron Beam; Israel’s $3 Laser Weapon Just Changed Everything.
Gerald Harris is a financial and feature writer. Gerald can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
