According to the Ministry, soldiers from the IAF Aerial Defense Array operated prototypes of the laser systems, marking the first operational use of such technology in combat. These achievements stem from an accelerated development programme initiated by the DDR&D and Rafael.
A World First — Combat-Proven Laser Defense, Powered by Rafael
For the first time in history, high-power laser systems have been used to intercept aerial threats in combat.
This unprecedented breakthrough took place during the Swords of Iron War — with Rafael’s advanced… pic.twitter.com/B3D6UdCJvE— Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) May 28, 2025
The laser systems are part of Rafael’s wider portfolio of directed energy weapons, created in close partnership with the IMOD, and serve as a complement to the Iron Beam system. The Iron Beam, a more advanced platform, is currently in development and is scheduled for delivery to the Israel Defense Forces later this year.
“These systems are based on technological breakthroughs developed over decades at Rafael, in close cooperation with the R&D Division of the DDR&D,” stated the Ministry of Defense. Their deployment during the war reflects rapid technological adaptation and innovation under combat conditions.
The IAF and its Aerial Defense Array played a key role in both studying and operating the systems on the battlefield. The Ministry noted that their use resulted in “outstanding interception rates that saved civilian lives and protected national assets.”
