Israel announces successful test of laser missile defense system

The Israeli Ministry of Defense and Rafael have successfully completed a series of tests of a laser interception system for missiles and UAVs, the press service of the defense department said.

“UAVs, mortar shells, rockets and anti-tank missiles were successfully intercepted during the development of various scenarios,” the report says, RIA Novosti reports. Defense Minister Benny Gantz called the first successful tests of a laser missile defense system a "global breakthrough."

“Our goal now is to bring the system into working condition as soon as possible, which will provide us with an effective, cheap and innovative means of protection,” Gantz said, quoted by the press service of the Ministry of Defense.

Laser missile defense, which will be characterized by low cost of use and practically unlimited ammunition, will be integrated into Israel's multi-level air defense system.

General Yaniv Rotem, head of research and development at the Defense Ministry, said that Israel, during the completed tests, for the first time managed to intercept mortar shells, missiles, UAVs and anti-tank missiles at difficult distances and time intervals. “The laser is a game changer with a simple control system and significant economic benefits. Our plan is to deploy several laser missile defenses along Israel's borders over the next decade,” Rotem said.

In March, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced that the state would allocate hundreds of millions of shekels to the development and production of a laser air defense system to intercept missiles, mortar shells and UAVs.

In February, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told a National Security Institute conference that the Israeli army would be equipped with laser interceptor systems within a year to shoot down missiles fired into the country, at a much lower cost than the current Iron Dome missile defense system. ”, each operation of which so far costs the Israeli treasury thousands of dollars.