Israel’s high-power laser interceptor system, called Iron Beam, is expected to become operational next year.

This is according to Israeli foreign ministry director general Eyal Zamir, who signed a $535 million (£411 million) contract with manufacturers Rafael and Elbit yesterday.

Iron Beam will complement Israel’s other air defense capabilities, such as the better-known Iron Dome.

These could not block every bullet fired at Israel, resulting in both civilian and military casualties.

The cost of a single Iron Dome intervention is thought to be around $50,000 (£38,400). By contrast, Iron Ray interventions will cost a few dollars each.

“This may sound like science fiction, but it’s real,” former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said in 2022, adding that the Iron Beam’s interventions would be silent, invisible, and cost $3.50 each.

This month, the United States equipped Israel with a highly advanced defense system capable of fending off ballistic missiles in or outside the atmosphere.

A crew of 95 soldiers is required to operate the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and the USA provides this.

Below you can learn more about Israel’s air defense systems.