Israel could be less than five years away from deploying laser weapons capable of intercepting missiles fired from Iran, a senior defense executive said this week, describing the technology as a potential game-changer for national security.
Maj. Gen. (res.) Michael Edelstein, senior vice president for strategy at Elbit Systems, told a defense-tech panel in Haifa that the breakthrough needed for laser interception had already been achieved. The focus now, he said, was on moving from testing to mass production.
“We are starting with adaptation for fighter jets,” Edelstein said. “The technological breakthrough has already happened. Now it’s a matter of reaching production.”
The laser defense system, under development by Elbit, is designed to bring down incoming missiles — including ballistic missiles launched from Iran — at a fraction of the cost of current interceptor systems such as Iron Dome and Arrow. Defense analysts say such technology could provide Israel with a more sustainable solution against large-scale rocket and missile barrages from hostile states and terrorist groups.
Edelstein added that Elbit’s largest division, based in Haifa, is also expanding its work in artificial intelligence and plans to recruit 100 wounded IDF soldiers by year’s end for training and integration into the defense industry.
Israel has faced arms embargoes from some countries, including Germany, but Edelstein said global demand for Israeli defense technology is strong, driven in part by lessons learned on the battlefield. “This will happen in less than five years,” he said of the laser project, emphasizing its role in safeguarding Israel against regional threats.