Israel has carried out the first known combat use of a high-powered laser weapon, shooting down kamikaze drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems released a video of the interception, showing the laser system locking onto a moving aerial target and neutralizing it within seconds.
The drone appeared to be a small, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a conventional design, resembling the Iranian-made Ababil-T or similar one-way attack drones commonly used by Hezbollah.
“Israel is the first country in the world to transform high-power laser technology into a fully operational system — and to execute actual combat interceptions,” said Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Chairman of Rafael.
“We are extremely proud of Rafael’s achievement in leading this operational and technological breakthrough.”
A World First — Combat-Proven Laser Defense, Powered by Rafael.
For the first time in history, high-power laser systems have been used to intercept aerial threats in combat.
This unprecedented breakthrough took place during the Swords of Iron War — with Rafael’s advanced… pic.twitter.com/02krOAriSj— Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) May 28, 2025
Israel has been contending with relentless drone attacks from Hezbollah in the north, intensifying the pressure of an already volatile two-front conflict.
About the Laser Weapon
While Rafael did not explicitly name the laser system, multiple reports identified it as a scaled-down prototype of the Magen Or, better known as Iron Beam.
Developed in partnership with Elbit Systems, Iron Beam is a 100-kilowatt-class laser weapon capable of intercepting rockets, missiles, and drones at ranges of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
It uses a fiber laser to destroy aerial threats mid-air with high precision.
Designed for cost-effective defense, the system offers a significantly lower cost per interception compared to traditional missile systems.
‘A New Era in Warfare’
Rafael said the successful combat use of the laser system follows years of development focused on improving interception rates in high-threat operational environments.
The event also marks what the company called an “unprecedented breakthrough” in Israel’s push to neutralize airborne threats with speed, accuracy, and minimal cost.
“These systems mark the beginning of a new era in warfare — one that will soon expand with the delivery of Iron Beam, Rafael’s next-generation laser weapon designed to reshape the future of air defense,” the company stated.
“This is not [a] theory. This is real. Combat-proven. Operational. Historic.”
