We have always believed that Israel has air superiority as a result of its advanced air forces. But, as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones proliferate, the skies are no longer the exclusive domain of our billion-dollar fighter jets and highly trained pilots. As drone incursions surge, Israeli military planners are facing what may be their most critical defensive challenge in decades.
In Ukraine, an estimated one million such devices have been produced in the past year alone. These low-cost, expendable aircraft are capable of carrying explosives and operating in swarms. A recent viral video (shown below) showed Ukrainian teenagers piloting suicide drones against Russian tanks using virtual reality goggles and a computer.
Just last month, Hezbollah launched multiple drone attacks into northern Israel, probing the limits of existing defenses. While most were intercepted, the frequency of such incursions has spiked dramatically over the past year. Experts warn that these skirmishes could be the prelude to a larger conflict.
Conventional air defense systems, designed for larger, more predictable threats, are struggling to keep pace with this new, nimble enemy, forcing a radical rethink of military priorities. Some are calling for a shift in budget allocation, away from traditional assets like fighter jets—vulnerable if runways are compromised—towards laser-based drone defense systems. These futuristic weapons promise a cost-effective solution to a problem that threatens to overwhelm current defenses.
And this tech already exists – Imagine this: a single, silent burst of light takes down a deadly drone in flight. No explosions, no mess, and at a cost cheaper than a bottle of wine. This isn't science fiction, but a new reality thanks to British scientists and engineers.
In January, the UK successfully demonstrated a laser weapon system called DragonFire that could be deployed within the next decade. This £30 million project, backed by the UK government and leading defense companies, has completed its first field test, shooting down drones off the coast of Scotland with lasers.
Lasers are a game-changing alternative. Here's how they work: By interfering with a drone's electronics, they can disable it without causing explosions. They're also incredibly cheap to operate. Running DragonFire for ten seconds costs less than £10, comparable to using a household heater.
Safety is another benefit. Unlike missiles, lasers only travel in a straight line and dissipate in the atmosphere, posing no risk of collateral damage. They're also difficult to counter as they travel at the speed of light.
While lasers have been used for targeting and aiming for years, DragonFire marks the first successful deployment for disrupting and disabling threats.
Challenges remain, like maintaining laser stability on moving platforms and adjusting for variable weather. Additionally, soldiers will need specialized training to operate these high-tech systems.
The U.S. Air Force has also used a Raytheon-made high-energy laser to destroy “dozens of small drones,” and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Drone Dome can also use lasers to address drone threats. Rheinmetall’s high-energy laser has also been used against small drone swarms.
Although Israel is currently developing its own laser system to combat drone warfare, Iron Beam, it be fielded “by the end of 2025,” according to Rafael, the Israeli defense tech company who is developing it.
.
* Yisrael HaYom, The Conversation and BreakingDefense contributed to this report