(Jerusalem Post) Anna Ahronheim - Israel's Defense Ministry has announced new laser technology to intercept a variety of aerial threats, including rockets and anti-tank guided missiles. "The R&D investments made by the DD [Directorate of Defense] R&D in recent years have placed the State of Israel among the leading countries in the field of high-energy laser systems," said Brig.-Gen. Yaniv Rotem, head of the Ministry's Directorate of Research and Development. The ministry has carried out a number of successful interceptions of targets including mortar shells, drones, and anti-tank missiles at a variety of ranges. The system will complement the other layers of Israel's aerial defenses and will be a strategic change in the defense capabilities of the state. "During a war, missile interceptors will at one point run out, but with this system, as long as you have electricity you have a never-ending supply," Rotem said. Every interception will only cost a few dollars, as opposed to interceptor missiles which can run into the thousands.
2020-01-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive