Lite Beam: Will Israel's New Laser Weapon Replace Traditional Missiles?
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Easily mounted on Army vehicles, the Israeli laser system enhances mobile combat power. Adopting it would push India further into next-gen defence technology
Israel has unveiled the Lite Beam Hard Kill Neutralization System, an advanced laser weapon designed to intercept and destroy aerial threats like drones and mortars mid-air, marking a major leap in next-generation air defence technology.
Building on the success of the Iron Beam laser defence, Israeli defence firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' latest innovation offers enhanced accuracy for short-range engagements. This, if acquired, may strengthen India's defence capabilities in the face of evolving security challenges.
How India Can Benefit From Acquiring It
The growing technological partnership and exchange of advanced weapon systems between Israel and India is playing a crucial role in strengthening regional security. With India already having acquired the SkyStriker kamikaze drone from Israel, it may now explore the possibility of procuring this laser beam technology as well.
Israel's new laser technology is designed to neutralise drones, mortars and small missiles mid-air. According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, the system uses a high-powered laser beam to jam and destroy enemy threats at close range with high precision.
Compact and versatile, it can be mounted on standard vehicles such as a 4×4 jeep, making deployment quick and flexible. In addition to physical interception, the system also functions as a jammer, disabling enemy electronic equipment. Its laser beam is virtually unlimited, allowing for continuous and rapid-fire operation.
The system can which can be mounted on operational Army vehicles will boost mobile combat capabilities. Moreover, adopting this advanced Israeli technology would mark another step forward for India in embracing next-generation defence systems.
BrahMos, known as the P-800 Onyx in Russia, was developed through an India-Russia joint venture. In a similar way, if India co-develops Israel's laser beam technology, it could lower costs and secure a significant advantage in aerial defence.
What Is Israel's Lite Beam?
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have, for the first time, confirmed the operational success of a newly developed laser-based defence system, capable of intercepting multiple aerial threats during the current conflict. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, the system—closely related to the Iron Beam laser platform—has demonstrated its effectiveness in real-time combat, marking a major leap in Israel's deployment of directed energy weapons.
The Jerusalem Post also noted that the IDF had previously employed laser technology in operational scenarios as early as 2024, though restrictions at the time prevented public disclosure.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems showcased its latest innovations at the AUSA defence exhibition held in Washington, DC, from October 14–16, 2024. Among the highlights was the debut of the Lite Beam laser interception system, integrated with the Trophy active protection system.
According to The Jerusalem Post, defence sources have suggested that Israel's new Lite Beam laser system is primarily designed to counter drones and potentially mortar threats, though it is not yet capable of intercepting larger threats like rockets or long-range missiles.
Sources also noted that the Lite Beam features hard-kill neutralisation technology, which can be mounted on various military vehicles. It can also function as part of Israel's Drone Dome system, which combines jamming and soft-kill measures to disable aerial threats.
Rafael highlighted that the Lite Beam offers key benefits such as near-instant engagement, an effectively unlimited firing capacity, and extremely low cost per use—making it a highly efficient solution for short-range air defence.
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First Published:
May 30, 2025, 14:15 IST
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