The ministry is looking to other organizations and individuals to help fund the project.
The Defense Ministry’s laser interception system project will be presented to US President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel next month, according to sources from the ministry and the IDF on Thursday.
Laser show for Biden
The presentation of the system will take place at Palmachim Airbase when the president tours an Iron Dome battery. The new laser defense system, according to estimates, is expected to become operational use within a few years and help protect the country against rockets, missiles, and unmanned aircraft.
IDF sources said that it was no secret that the Defense Ministry was looking for partners for the project, which will have a high cost. Talks on the project have already been held between the ministry, the IDF and the US Defense Department .
Israel’s military is also interested in deepening its ties with the US military in general.
Background on laser systems
Israel carried out successful laser interception trials in April. The experiments were done in Israel’s South by the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Research and Development (DDR&D) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
The laser system, referred to as the “Iron Beam,” was shown to be capable of intercepting a number of aerial targets in trial runs — which included aerial vehicles, mortars and rockets.