Or Eitan Laser to Enter IDF Service on December 30, Marking a Strategic Breakthrough in Israel’s Air Defense

Israel will deliver Or Eitan, also known as the Iron Beam, the country’s first operational high-energy laser air-defense system, to the IDF on December 30, officials announced Monday at the Defense-Tech Summit in Tel Aviv. The system, jointly developed by the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development, Rafael, and Elbit, is completing a rapid wartime integration process after years of development.

The new system provides capabilities not previously available in Israel’s defensive layers: it intercepts threats at the speed of light, each laser shot costs only a few shekels, and it can fire an unlimited amount as long as it has power, without relying on missile stockpiles. These abilities give Israel a practical answer to the cheap rockets, drones, and mortars that enemies launch in large numbers from several arenas.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Dr. Danny Gold, the directorate’s head, said the system “is expected to change the rules of the battlefield, and it is ready to be handed over to the IDF following completion of development and the testing sequence that proved the system’s capabilities.” Gold added that the directorate is already applying wartime lessons to future battles. “According to the Defense Ministry’s strategy, we are now deeply working on the next-generation surprises for the coming war — in space, in offense, and in defense — and we will deploy them at the right time.” 

Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram placed Or Eitan within a broader national shift toward advanced defense technology. “For years, Israel was known worldwide as a ‘Cyber Nation.’ Today, we have evolved into a true ‘Defense-Tech Nation.’” Baram emphasized the operational strain of relying solely on missile interceptors, noting that each Iron Dome missile costs around $50,000. “The economic consideration is at the heart of such a system,” he said. “Or Eitan brings us to an enabling economic model for interceptions, since we cannot rely on very expensive air defense.” He added that the system is entirely Israeli-produced: “We designed it so there is no dependence on foreign components.”

Before reaching full operational strength, an early, limited version of Or Eitan, with shorter range and lower beam concentration, was already used in combat, intercepting dozens of rockets and drones, mainly from Lebanon. The enhanced system now being delivered operates at far higher powers and longer ranges and will anchor the low-altitude air-defense tier beneath Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow.

In recent weeks, Or Eitan completed advanced operational tests in southern Israel, intercepting rockets, mortars, and drones under field conditions. It is now undergoing final integration with the Israeli Air Force ahead of its December 30 delivery.