Defense Update reported on Thursday about Israel's Iron Beam laser-based air defense system:
Israel’s Minister of Defense Benny Gantz has approved allocating a significant budget to develop and produce a high-power solid-state laser system designed to intercept rockets, mortars, and UAVs. Rafael, the system developer, expects to sign the full-scale development contract with the Ministry of Defense in the coming days; the initial investment amounts to hundreds of millions of NIS.The system’s production and deployment will cost hundreds of millions of NIS more, and the funding approved will cover the system development, procurement, and initial deployment. As Iron Beam becomes operational, it will be integrated into Israel’s multi-tier air and missile defense system, providing a cost-effective and operationally efficient lower-tier defense against missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, rockets, and mortars.
They interview an "expert" who says that the war last May proved that Iron Dome was ineffective, and Israel is forced to spend hundreds of millions to come up with a replacement.
Some 90% of the Gaza rockets that were headed towards populated areas were intercepted during the May war.
Iron Beam is designed to hit projectiles that Iron Dome is not good at - short range mortars and drones. It is not a replacement.
But the Palestinians need to find reasons to celebrate, and - like children - when their actions prompt any reaction from Israel, they are happy that they are not being ignored.
