Israel Acknowledges Use of Laser Weapons to Intercept Drones

Israel has deployed laser weapons during its ongoing war to deflect “scores” of aerial attacks, including from drones, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. This is the first time the country has acknowledged the use of directed-energy technologies in the battlefield.

The systems were described as a less powerful “prototype” of the 100-kilowatt Iron Beam laser interceptor that will be operational in Israel by the end of the year. The Defense Ministry also released footage of what it said were the lasers intercepting fixed-wing drones in the sky.