Israel to spend $150 million on laser-powered air defence system

The Israeli government's Arms Procurement Committee has approved the allocation of more than 500 million shekels ($150 million) for the development and purchase of a laser missile interception system called Magen Or ("Light Shield").

The system will be built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which has created Israel's Iron Dome and Iron Ray missile defence systems, Haaretz newspaper reports.

The contract is concluded for six years and includes the development of both ground and military elements of the system, as well as aircraft components.

The publication notes that the allocation of funds occurred after the visit of US President Joe Biden to Israel. It is expected that the United States will also participate in the development and procurement of a laser air defence system.

Earlier it was reported that Israel successfully tested a laser air defence system. The country's Defence Ministry said the system successfully shot down drones, rockets, mortars and anti-tank missiles during the first series of tests.

The tests took place in the Negev Desert in southern Israel. The Israeli Defence Ministry originally planned to deploy an anti-missile system by 2024, but some units insisted on earlier dates.

According to the head of the ministry's research and development department, the tests were carried out at "difficult" ranges and timings. He stressed that the use of a laser changes the course of hostilities, and the technology itself is easy to operate and proves its economic viability.