Israel successfully tests new laser air defence system against mortars, rockets: Gantz

Israel's new laser missile defence system has successfully intercepted mortars, rockets and anti-tank missiles in recent tests, Defence Minister Benny Gantz said on Thursday.

The Israeli-made laser system, designed to complement a series of aerial defence systems such as the costly Iron Dome deployed by Israel, will be operational "as soon as possible", Gantz said.

The goal is to deploy the laser systems around Israel's borders over the next decade, Gantz added. The tests took place last month in the Naqab (Negev) Desert.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in February that Israel would begin using the system within a year, sending a message to archenemy Iran.

Gantz said the laser system would be part of "an efficient, inexpensive, and innovative protection umbrella".

Israel has already developed or deployed a series of systems meant to intercept everything from long-range missiles to rockets launched from just a few miles away. It has also outfitted its tanks with a missile-defence system.

Little is known about the laser system’s effectiveness, but it is expected to be deployed on land, in the air and at sea.

The announcement came near the anniversary of Israel's deadly 11-day bombing campaign against Gaza, which killed over 250 Palestinians. Rocket fire from Hamas and other Gaza militants killed 13 people in Israel.

Israel said its Iron Dome defence system has been a great success, with a 90 percent interception rate against incoming rocket fire. But officials say the system is expensive to deploy, and the new laser defence will be much more cost-effective.

The defence ministry released a short video showing what it said were successful interceptions of rockets, mortars and an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Israel objected to selling its Iron Dome defence system to Ukraine in order to avoid tensions with Russia.https://t.co/ROiSP2edwb

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) February 15, 2022

The video, which was highly edited and includes music, appeared to show a laser beam coming out of a ground station, hitting the targets and smashing them into small pieces.

Thursday's announcement came as talks on restoring Iran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers have stalled.

Israel opposes the deal, saying it does not do enough to curb Iran's nuclear programme or its military activities across the region, and Israeli officials have said they will unilaterally do what they consider necessary to protect the country.

This is despite Israel being the only state in the world known to have an undeclared nuclear weapons programme. It is thought to have 90 warheads.