The Israeli military has formally confirmed the combat deployment of a laser-based air defence system, Magen Or (“Light Shield”), during last year’s hostilities with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The disclosure, made by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Ministry of Defence on 28 May, marks the first official acknowledgement that dozens of hostile drones were successfully intercepted using the directed energy platform.
The system, a lower-powered variant of the Iron Beam (also known as Keren Barzel), was used in real combat situations throughout the months-long fighting in northern Israel. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Defence, the system was deployed amid mounting threats from Hezbollah’s drone fleet during the 2024 war.
According to the IDF, more than 300 explosive-laden UAVs were launched by Hezbollah over a 60-day period. While a number caused casualties and limited damage, the vast majority failed to reach their intended targets. Many of these were intercepted by the Magen Or system, although its deployment at the time remained classified.
In a joint statement, the IDF and Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Israeli Air Force, specifically its Aerial Defence Array, deployed the laser platform successfully, achieving “outstanding interception rates that saved civilian lives and protected national assets.” Released video footage showed the laser system engaging targets silently and without the use of missiles, disabling UAVs in flight by burning through their wings or propulsion systems, leading to crashes.
The Magen Or system operates at approximately 30 kilowatts, significantly below the intended full-power 100 kW version of Iron Beam, which is expected to enter broader service later this year. The platform includes a radar unit for target acquisition, paired laser emitters, and mobile power generators. Entire batteries are designed for rapid deployment and can be transported discreetly in standard containerised vehicles.
Unlike conventional missile interceptors, laser-based systems such as Magen Or provide several advantages. Chief among them is the minimal cost per interception, estimated at under $1,000 (approximately €920), compared to around $50,000 (€46,000) for a single Tamir interceptor missile used in the Iron Dome system. Furthermore, there is no risk of shrapnel dispersal, making the system suitable for deployment in densely populated areas.
As of May 2025, Israel plans to integrate the laser platform into its existing multi-layered air defence network. This includes Iron Dome (short-range), David’s Sling (medium-range), and Arrow systems (Hetz 2 and Hetz 3) for high-altitude and ballistic threats. The objective is to create a unified interception architecture where laser systems provide the first layer of defence against low-flying UAVs and small projectiles.
The development and deployment of Magen Or form part of a wider strategic shift in response to the increasing use of unmanned aerial systems by non-state actors. Lessons drawn from the 2024 conflict, as well as observations from Ukraine, where drone warfare has become a defining element, have accelerated investment in lower-cost, scalable air defence technologies.
The full-scale rollout of Magen Or and its more powerful successor, Iron Beam, is expected by 2026. Israel’s defence establishment anticipates the system becoming a permanent feature of its defensive posture—capable of addressing the growing threat posed by UAVs in future conflicts.
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