“Spain is a longtime client of Rafael and has active contracts with us,” Turgeman said at a press conference unveiling the company’s laser interception systems. “Al Jazeera reported that Spain is canceling its defense procurement from Rafael. We have not received any notice of cancellation, and we’re not intimidated by Spain. We currently have orders totaling 30 billion shekels.”
According to Rafael, Spain has in recent years purchased large quantities of Spike missiles—the most widely used tactical missile in the West. Switching to a different weapons system would require a complex and lengthy process.
“Currently, the delivery time for a new order from a major international supplier can be up to seven years,” said Turgeman. “It’s also not simple for an army to switch to a new type of weapon it hasn’t trained with. Our Spike missiles are incredibly accurate and have a range of 50 kilometers. The range of the French or American equivalents is only 10 to 15 kilometers.”
Last week, it was revealed that, during the Swords of Iron war, Israel intercepted between 30 and 40 drones using laser-based systems. Most of these interceptions targeted Hezbollah UAVs, although some came from other arenas. The system was operated by the new tactical air defense battalion established under the Northern Command. It wasn’t operationally ready at the start of the war and underwent a series of upgrades during the conflict.
A cost-effective system
The laser system will be showcased for the first time at the Paris Air Show, alongside the Iron Beam system—developed jointly by Rafael, Elbit, and the Defense Ministry—which is expected to enter operational service later this year. Iron Beam is significantly more advanced and powerful. It will initially be deployed via Iron Dome batteries and will save on intercepts that would otherwise require Tamir missiles, which cost about $50,000 each.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
However, the Iron Beam system currently has several limitations. Its laser power weakens with distance, and its maximum effective range is around 10 kilometers, compared to Iron Dome’s 40 kilometers. Unlike Iron Dome, Iron Beam cannot simultaneously engage multiple targets, and the laser becomes nearly ineffective in poor visibility conditions.
Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said the system’s new targeting unit allows for extended engagement range, faster response times, and even more precise aiming. Thanks to Rafael’s proprietary adaptive optics technology, company scientists have managed to concentrate the laser beam, which naturally disperses over distance, to maintain its intensity even at 10 kilometers. This allows the system to hit targets as small as a coin with pinpoint accuracy.
In addition to these systems, Rafael will also unveil the IRON BEAM M, a mobile laser platform for maneuvering ground forces and strategic site protection, as well as the LITE BEAM, a lightweight, portable 10kW laser defense solution for tactical units on the move.
All of Rafael’s laser systems are built on an “open architecture,” allowing flexible integration with land and sea platforms and with other air defense systems.