The successful test of Israel's new laser missile defense system is nothing short of an historic achievement for the defense establishment, the defense industries and the country at large.
It was developed by Raphael Industries in cooperation with the Defense Ministry and is not only an unprecedented technological breakthrough, but also has the potential of turning Israel into a world-class military superpower, at least when it comes to airborne threats including all types of missiles.
Israelis could not hope for better news on the eve of the Passover holiday and amid a wave of terror attacks. This is an economic and strategic advantage that cannot be underestimated.
The system is not a death-ray that will replace all other missile defenses from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria or Iran. It has disadvantages in certain weather conditions.
But given the conditions in the Middle East, the system should be able to operate most days and will be able to change the reality in the region, in the face of threats from Iran and its proxies.
It is also more than a defensive tool and has shown it is capable of use from air, land and sea and can be used by troops making their way in armored vehicles towards their target.
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Defense Minister Benny Gantz during the successful testing of a new laser missile defense system
(Photo: Defense Ministry)
Its capabilities will give Israel's defenses multiple chances to intercept incoming threats.
The United States has been trying to develop an airborne laser system able to intercept ballistic missiles, for decades, and has failed to do so.
Their efforts have yielded a much less effective weapon primarily because of their power capacity which is considerably smaller.
Russia and China along with the rest of the world, have not been able to successfully develop such a tool.
Israel today, has such a weapon and that must be a source of pride.
The system can intercept projectiles fired from the ground or from the air and if Iran fires ballistic missiles, or cruse missiles carrying nuclear warheads, it will be an important component of Israel's defense.