Israel has published documents and videos of drones being shot down in action for the first time. According to the documents, the Israeli army (IDF) has already shot down dozens of drones with lasers as part of the “Iron Swords” military operation, which has been waged against Hamas, which operates in the Gaza Strip, since the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The accelerated development process was largely driven by the Defense Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Defense, the Israeli Air Force and the defense contractor Rafael.
According to the public relations department of the Ministry of Defense, the air force – including the fighter planes of the air defense forces – used laser systems in the field. This had led to exceptionally high interception successes.
“The State of Israel is the first country in the world to have a massive operational laser capability to counter threats,” said the head of the Israeli Defense Intelligence Service, Brigadier General of the Reserve Daniel Gold. “For years, the Israeli Defense Intelligence Service has been working with the defense industry and start-ups to advance efforts to develop this powerful laser. Laser use was demonstrated in practice during the war with tremendous operational and technological success.”
“The laser will be an additional layer of interception in the multi-layered defense system that has been developed at great expense by the defense industry and our exceptional human capital in the State of Israel. We will continue to advance the technology and equip the Israel Defense Forces with world-leading systems and technologies. We will also continue to realize a vision for security in the air, at sea, on land and in every dimension and medium.”
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