Latest news with #SwordsofIronWar
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Watch: Israel Becomes First Country To Shoot Down Enemy Drones With Laser Weapon
Israel has become the first country in the world to use laser weapons to shoot down enemy drones during the ongoing war in Gaza. The Israeli Air Force's Aerial Defense Array used the prototype laser air defences during the "Swords of Iron War" to reach a significant milestone in modern warfare, where the use of laser weapons has long been theorised. Developed by Israel-based defence company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, these energy weapons direct an intense beam of light at a target and use heat to damage or destroy it. "Throughout the current war, the IAF, including its Aerial Defense Array soldiers, studied and deployed the laser systems in the field, achieving outstanding interception rates that saved civilian lives and protected national assets," Rafael said in a statement. Brigadier General Yehuda Elmakayes, head of the ministry's defence and research directorate, confirmed that the use of prototypes "culminated" with the "world's first successful high-power laser interceptions on the battlefield". "We are currently integrating these insights into the systems under development, while expanding the range of laser-based systems to protect Israeli civilians and IDF forces," he said. Laser beam weapon in action Video shared by Israel's Ministry of Defense showcased the laser weapon system in action as it made at least three interceptions. In one of the skirmishes, the laser could be seen igniting the drone's wingtip, causing it to burn and crash. These enemy flying weapons appeared similar to the types of drone threats Israel has faced from Hamas, Hezbollah, as well as the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The drones have a crucifix-like design with a V-tail at the rear. This is amazing 🇮🇱 During the last war, Israel conducted operational testing of the Magen Or laser interception system, mainly in the northern region, and the system recorded operational successes in the field of interception. — Adi 🎗 (@Adi13) May 28, 2025 BREAKING - During recent operations, the Israeli Defense Forces deployed the 'Magen Or' (Shield of Light) laser interception system in the northern sector for testing. The system successfully neutralized multiple hostile UAVs, including four Hezbollah drones, proving its… — Vanguard Intel Group 🛡 (@vanguardintel) May 28, 2025 The Israeli military intends to use the laser system in tandem with the powerful Iron Beam system," a larger network of similar systems that's in the works. Experts believe that laser systems are useful for eliminating cheaper enemy targets like drones rather than spending expensive missile interceptors.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel's Iron Beam Laser Air Defense System Has Downed Enemy Drones
Israel has used a new air defense laser to shoot down Hezbollah drones in the current conflict in the Middle East, it has been confirmed. What is described as an adapted version of the Iron Beam system made its combat debut last October, and the definitive version should be fielded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later this year, joining an already formidable, layered air defense network, something you can read about in more detail here. The use of the Iron Beam — also known by its Hebrew name Magen Or — was announced by the IDF, Israeli Air Force (IAF), and defense contractor Rafael, in a joint statement. These three organizations, it is said, 'executed an accelerated development program to deploy revolutionary interception systems,' as part of an effort that also involved Israel's Directorate of Defense Research and Development. A World First — Combat-Proven Laser Defense, Powered by RafaelFor the first time in history, high-power laser systems have been used to intercept aerial threats in unprecedented breakthrough took place during the Swords of Iron War — with Rafael's advanced… — Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) May 28, 2025 The crash program saw the Iron Beam fielded by the IAF Aerial Defense Array, which used prototypes of the high-power laser to successfully intercept 'scores of enemy threats.' Israeli media outlets described the Iron Beam as initially deployed as a 'scaled-down version' of the definitive system, but provided no further details of how it differed or how the batteries were set up. In its definitive form, Iron Beam is trailer-mounted and uses a directed-energy weapon to destroy targets, including rockets, mortars, and drones. In the past, reports described the system as firing 'an electric 100-150 kW solid-state laser that will be capable of intercepting rockets and missiles.' In April 2022, IDF Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem said that the Iron Beam had been tested at 'challenging' ranges and timings,' according to the Times of Israel. 'The use of a laser is a 'game changer' and the technology is simple to operate and proves to be economically viable,' Rotem added. That particular test included the 'interception of shrapnel, rockets, anti-tank missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles, in a variety of complex scenarios,' according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. 'Israel is one of the first countries in the world to succeed in developing powerful laser technology in operational standards and demonstrate interception in an operational scenario,' the ministry added. At the same time, the IDF posted a 103-second video online, showcasing what it claimed was the system locking on and destroying rockets, mortars, and a drone. In general, developing and fielding a practical air defense laser has long been a challenge for many different countries, but for Israel, the benefits of such a system are especially obvious. For years now, the IDF has faced the threat of large-scale barrage-type attacks by one or more of its adversaries, including significant numbers of relatively low-cost rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds. Until now, defense against attacks of this kind has been entrusted to the Iron Dome system, which was developed specifically to counter small and fast-flying targets. Multiple accounts testify to the effectiveness of Iron Dome, although this comes at considerable expense, since it burns through a significant quantity of Tamir missile interceptors. Larger barrage attacks risk exhausting the stocks of Tamir interceptors altogether, at least in the short term. In contrast, Iron Beam can engage many targets at a drastically reduced cost. In April 2022, Israel's then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that Iron Beam was able to shoot down targets at a cost of $3.50 per shot. Israel has successfully tested the new 'Iron Beam' laser interception is the world's first energy-based weapons system that uses a laser to shoot down incoming UAVs, rockets & mortars at a cost of $3.50 per may sound like science fiction, but it's real. — Naftali Bennett נפתלי בנט (@naftalibennett) April 14, 2022 More recent reports put the cost of a single Iron Beam shot close to $2.50. Regardless, this is a huge difference compared to the roughly $50,000 price tag — which is among the lowest estimates — for a single Tamir interceptor missile. Even before the latest conflict in the Middle East, Israel was accelerating its plans to deploy Iron Beam, which was originally expected to go online in 2024. A key driver behind this was the worry that interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome and other systems could be exhausted in a more intense, longer-lasting campaign. Prior to the latest hostilities, it was assessed that Hezbollah had an arsenal of around 130,000 rockets, missiles, and mortar shells, while, in Gaza, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad had many thousands of additional rockets and mortar shells. At the same time, there is a growing threat from long-range one-way attack drones, many of them supplied by Iran, which have also seen significant use in the current conflict. Notably, only Hezbollah drones are mentioned as having been shot down by the interim Iron Beam in the October engagements, although there may well have been other kinds of targets, too. Approx. 40 launches were identified crossing from Lebanese territory, some of which were IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted 2 Hezbollah explosive UAVs that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory earlier this evening. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 12, 2024 At the same time, laser weapons do have limitations, including their short-term magazine depth being limited to how many successive shots they can fire before thermal loads require the system to cool down. Additionally, laser systems don't function as well in heavy cloud cover and other inclement weather. 'We can only shoot down with a laser what we can see,' Brig. Gen. Rotem previously told the Times of Israel. At the same time, a laser weapon of this kind is very much a point-defense weapon, with its short range meaning that multiple systems will be needed to provide coverage of a significant area. In some situations, even a single very large military base might require multiple such systems to provide adequate defense. With that in mind, Iron Beam is viewed as a system that's complementary to Iron Dome and other kinetic systems, rather than a replacement. Once again, while we don't know in what kind of form the interim Iron Beam was fielded, reports indicate that it was successful, at least to a degree. 'The State of Israel is the first in the world to demonstrate large-scale operational laser interception capabilities,' said Dr. Daniel Gold, the head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development, who previously helped create the Iron Dome. 'Our vision for deploying laser weapons was realized during the war with tremendous technological and operational success,' Gold added. Gold also suggested that the IDF plans to field similar kinds of laser-based interception systems on aircraft and on warships. Israel has already tested at least one high-powered airborne laser weapon, with the Ministry of Defense announcing in 2021 that it had successfully intercepted several target drones using a system of this kind. You can read more about that test here. Intriguingly, Israeli defense company Elbit Systems responded to news of the combat use of Iron Beam with a tweet with an illustration of an unnamed pod-based laser weapon arming an F-16 fighter. The accompanying text stated: 'At Elbit Systems, hundreds of engineers and experts are working every day on the next frontier: airborne high-power laser systems. This is our mission. This is our future.' Notably, developing and fielding an airborne laser system has proven elusive in the United States, something that TWZ has reported on on various occasions in the past. All things considered, laser weapons are still very much in their infancy. But the fact that Israel rushed a version of its Iron Beam into service last year indicates just how valuable this technology is considered. While laser weapons are not a cure-all for air defense needs, they clearly have a place, and the definitive version of Iron Beam will be a valuable addition to Israel's already impressive multi-layered air defense array. Contact the author: thomas@
Int'l Business Times
12-05-2025
- General
- Int'l Business Times
Educate And Uplift: The Relentless Work Of Chaim Malespin To Serve Israel And The World
Whether in a conflict zone, a conference, or on a global stage, Chaim Malespin is driven by the calling to help and educate. From the hills of Galilee to international platforms stretching across Africa, Europe, and North America, Malespin's life is an extraordinary fusion of service, scholarship, and spiritual calling, all grounded in his unwavering commitment to the destiny of Israel and the good that lies within all nations. Born in the United States and raised in Israel, after immigrating at the age of 15, Malespin's life has been shaped by a deep-rooted conviction that helping others achieve their full potential is not an act of charity but a sacred obligation. "My life has two sides of the coin," he says. "One is humanitarian service. The other is education and advocacy. But both sides work together, hand-in-hand." Malespin joined the Israel Defense Forces in the mid-2000s and continued as a reserve soldier to serve across multiple fronts in multiple conflict zones. "I serve because I believe that good shepherds not only feed the sheep, but protect them as well," he states. Malespin further says, "I want the world to see what good shepherds look like, not through the headlines, but the reality on the ground." That truth is at the heart of his forthcoming book, Aliyah Warrior , a raw, first-person collection of stories from the battlefield. Based on his firsthand experiences that he filmed daily during active duty in the Swords of Iron War, the book aims to show an unbiased, unfiltered perspective. "These are stories of soldiers, of heartbreak, of unimaginable reality. I just want to share the truth," he says. After his mandatory military service, Malespin earned a degree in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy from Reichman University (formerly IDC Herzliya), further equipping him for his life's purpose. In 2013, he co-founded the Aliyah Return Center (ARC), an Israeli nonprofit aimed at helping Jewish immigrants integrate into Israeli life. ARC's humanitarian work is expansive: temporary housing, Hebrew classes, job training, food distribution, clothing warehouses, and even furniture shipments brought in monthly by container, and all for free. But ARC's deeper impact is in the way it transforms lives and connects hearts across borders. "With so many Jewish immigrants, fleeing antisemitism and arriving in Israel with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The needs are clear, and we are here," Malespin remarks. "I couldn't end my journey with ARC. During my life, I have seen firsthand the confusion and the misinformation regarding Israel skyrocket. I had to do something about it." This led to the birth of Faithful Galileans , a nonprofit focusing on advocacy, offering immersive experiences that blend Israel pilgrimage with tangible service. Through the organization's Ambassador Academy, participants stay, pray, learn, and serve in the Land, being equipped with knowledge and perspective to carry home. The organization's internship and volunteer programs invite internationals to "participate with Israel," forming a network of grassroots ambassadors worldwide. As a keynote speaker, Malespin's reach spans continents. With the credibility of a frontline soldier and the polish of a statesman, he speaks truth with clarity and conviction. "I'm a non-diplomat diplomat," as he says, "but my message is: Don't just spectate, participate. Take action and stand up for what's right." His keynote topics range from the roots of anti-Semitism to the biblical significance of supporting Aliyah, from humanitarian aid strategies to frontline experiences. Wherever he speaks, he seeks to debunk myths, correct narratives, and challenge people toward tangible action. Not all of Malespin's storytelling comes through words. As a musician, he's passionate about the healing power of music, particularly for soldiers dealing with PTSD. He's currently working on a vision for a new music and recovery village. To Malespin, music is therapy, a form of cultural diplomacy, and a universal language that bridges trauma with hope. His dream is to create a space where soothing sound, silence, and community activity combine to restore what conflict has broken. Malespin hosts a range of online courses designed to educate lovers of Israel around the world on Jewish history, prophecy, and the Hebrew roots of faith. His teaching is marked by a unique blend of scholarship, firsthand experience, and spiritual insight, one of many reasons his courses draw a global audience. The thread that ties Malespin's life together is unmistakable. As he puts it, "I've given my life to helping people toward their true destiny. Whether it's feeding the hungry, educating, or defending those who can't defend themselves while inspiring action, it's all part of the same calling."
