Armed with lasers, Rafael to show off air defenses at Paris Airshow

A montage of graphics showing off Rafael’s laser-based systems. (Rafael)

JERUSALEM — Fresh off the announcement that Israel has successfully used Rafael’s laser defenses to intercept incoming threats, the company is planning to showcase three of its new laser systems at the Paris Air Show.

The company has been working on rolling out laser air defenses over the past several years, as it attempts to replicate its multi-layered defense structure, as it did with Iron Dome and David’s Sling, by providing different levels of laser defenses. Rafael says the systems demonstrated their ability to intercept threats in 2022 in testing and they are on track for delivery to the IDF by the end of 2025.

In October 2024 at AUSA the company unveiled its smaller vehicle-based air defense system, called Lite Beam. That weapon, the first member of the “family” of systems the company has been developing, is a tactical 10kW laser that can defend against small drones and other threats.

The second laser is the Iron Beam M, which is a mobile laser system that is 50kW and can be used against larger threats, such as rockets, mortars and various types of drones. Rafael sees this as a compact and mobile solution that is for forward-deployed forces, a statement from the company noted.

The third member of the laser family is a heavier and larger version of Iron Beam, which Rafael says “delivers longer range, higher accuracy, and faster engagement—all while maintaining its operational edge: instant neutralization of aerial threats at minimal operational cost.” The company says that system enables wide-area covered and interception of “high-velocity threats.” This system is a 100kW laser with a 450mm aperture beam, significantly larger than the Iron Beam M’s 250mm size.

Overall the firm says it has enhanced Iron Beam’s “operational range, accuracy, and efficiency, significantly advancing the system’s performance.” The company says this enables longer-range interceptions, although they have not specified the range.

In a statement, Rafael’s Chairman Yuval Steinitz said the systems “are based on a scientific breakthrough in adaptive optics and represent the result of years of intense development.”

“These systems combine high precision and rapid response with exceptionally low interception costs. Rafael remains committed to innovation in the service of Israel’s security,” Rafael’s CEO and President, Yoav Tourgeman added.

Rafael’s role in Paris comes as Israeli companies are returning to French arms exhibitions after being twice banned in 2024, due to controversy over the war in Gaza.

In June 2024, Israeli firms were barred from Eurosatory; While a French court struck down that ban, it was too late for firms to attend. In October 2024, France also attempted to ban Israeli companies from Euronaval, although a commercial court overturned that ban as well.

The air show is also taking place as Israeli air defense systems continue to make inroads in Europe. Israel’s Ministry of Defense said on June 5 that Israel and Germany were beginning formal preparations for the delivery of Arrow 3 to Germany. That deal was finalized in 2023 along with a deal by Finland to acquire David’s Sling. Arrow 3 is made by Israel Aerospace Industries.