Are lasers going to save the Anglo-American empire from military disaster? That remains to be seen, but the development of laser systems in NATO countries and in Israel is being seen as the solution to the problem of firing missiles that cost $1-$2 million to take down drones that only cost $10,000 to $20,000. “A growing number of Western countries are developing and deploying laser-based weapons that could be cheaper and more efficient at taking down drones than missiles or rockets. Some have already been used in war, by Israel and Ukraine, wrote the New York Times’ Lara Jakes in a news item posted this morning. “An Australian company, Electro Optic Systems, has a laser that it says can shoot down 20 drones a minute and which has been purchased by a European NATO member. It will cost about $83 million for each system, including training and spare parts, and will be delivered by 2028. After installation, it is expected to take down drones at a cost of less than 10 cents per shot.”
In Israel, the Defense Ministry and arms manufacturer Rafael announced on Sept. 17 that “Iron Beam,” described as the world’s first laser defense system, will be delivered to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) by the end of 2025, reported Jewish Insider. The system “features an advanced targeting system that enables enhanced operational range, high precision, and superior efficiency while maintaining its unique advantage of rapidly neutralizing threats using laser technology at negligible cost,” the announcement reads. “The Iron Beam system represents a global technological and engineering breakthrough, expected to integrate into Israel’s multi-layered defense array as a complementary capability to the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow air defense systems.”
