Israel to add short-range laser weapon to air defences next year

The Iron Beam laser air-defence system will be ready for deployment in a year, the Israeli Defence Ministry reported on Monday on signing a contract with defence contractors Rafael and Elbit.

The contract is valued at more than 2 million Israeli shekels ($540 million).

"This agreement rings in a new era – the era of laser defence," Defence Ministry Director-General Eyal Zamir said, according to the ynet news portal.

Iron Beam has been developed to destroy short-range rockets, artillery, mortar bombs, drones and cruise missiles and is intended as a low-cost addition to the country's air defences.

According to US information, the system can neutralize drones for around $4 per shot.