Israel is not the most popular country in the world, except when it comes to military hardware. A country the size of New Jersey is now the world’s eighth-largest arms exporter, with record sales of $15 billion by 2024.
After Britain, but ahead of Turkey and South Korea in foreign arms sales, governments are flocking to Israel to buy proven weapons, especially missiles from the famed Iron Dome missile defense system.
Europe is responsible for the majority of sales; Germany and Finland are the largest, but India, Thailand and Greece are also buyers. Even Muslim-majority countries – Morocco, the UAE and Bahrain – are buying missiles, drones and cybersecurity systems from the Jewish state.
The record sales come as Israel unveils its latest weapon. The Iron Beam is a laser that can neutralize incoming missiles, mortars and drones up to 10 kilometers away for just $2 per interception. In contrast, interceptor missiles typically cost somewhere between $100,000 and $1 million each.
SPACE-BASED MISSILE KILLING GOLDEN DOME TECH AIMS FOR CRUCIAL TEST BEFORE TRUMP LEAVES OFFICE: LOCKHEED MARTIN
Rafael Lite Beam, Iron Beam -M (250) and Iron Beam (450) High Energy Laser Weapon Systems are displayed during the Security Equipment International at London Excel on September 10, 2025 in London, England. (John Keeble/Getty Images)
“With the laser, the only cost is electricity,” said Yuval Steinitz, president of Rafael Defense Industries, manufacturer of the Iron Beam. “It’s between $1 and $2, less than the price of a hot dog in New York.”
Unlike conventional missile interceptors, no matter how fast they are, they take time. A laser moves at the speed of light.
“We have already used it against UAVs launched by Hezbollah in the north and missiles from Iran. It works,” said Professor Isaac Ben-David of Tel Aviv University. “The main advantage is that once you see the target, it is intercepted at the speed of light. It takes a split second and the laser is already destroying it.”
CUTTING OUT OF HAMAS’ MILLION DOLLAR ‘ROOT’ TUNNEL IS GAME CHANGER, SAYS ANALYST
The Iron Beam is a laser that can destroy incoming missiles, mortars and drones up to ten kilometers away. (Israeli Ministry of Defense)
After decades of failed tests by multiple countries, Israel has become the first country to successfully use the weapon in war. One of those who oversaw the development was Professor Isaac Ben-David, former head of research and development at the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Israel will deploy the first Iron Beam systems in the north, where Hezbollah rockets fired in southern Lebanon take less than a minute to cross the Israeli border. Applications will expand to ships and specific air bases.
“This is just the beginning of a new era,” Steinitz said. “In time, maybe five years, it will allow us to shoot down every hostile object in the air around Israel. It really is a game changer.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Israel’s Iron Beam laser system targets incoming rockets, mortar fire and drones and disables them at a range of up to ten kilometers. (Israeli Ministry of Defense)
Rafael developed the technology together with the American Lockheed Martin and $ 1.2 billion from the Pentagon. Steinitz says the technology is already being shared with the U.S. military’s directed energy program.
“We cannot do without the United States,” he said. “But sometimes even the dwarf can contribute to the giant in partnership.”
