Israel's laser interception system expected to be operational in a year

Israel’s in-development high-powered laser interception system, dubbed Iron Beam, is expected to be operational in a year, the director general of the Defense Ministry says, Report informs via The Times of Israel.

“The first capability of the ground laser system… is expected to enter operational service in a year from today,” Eyal Zamir says during the signing of a NIS 2 billion ($535 million) contract with manufacturers Rafael and Elbit.

The Iron Beam is designed to work in tandem with systems like Iron Dome and shoot down smaller projectiles.

The agreement between the ministry and Rafael and Elbit will “significantly increase” the rate of production “in order to supply the laser systems on time and at a high rate,” a statement says.