![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VDODJ7CQASO5DHPYYOL5ZC57WU.jpg?smart=true&auth=581ac30730e8fda6af1a7bc359430eaf5285bab851e6a2ca40c722d995a418c3&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden is in Israel for a regional tour. AP
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A handout picture released by the Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD) on April 14, 2022, shows a high-power laser interception system, developed by Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D) and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, at an undisclosed location. - Moments after US President Joe Biden touches down in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, the Israeli military will show him new hardware it says is essential to confronting Iran: anti-drone lasers. As concerns mount over drone warfare, Israel hopes the new Iron Beam system will secure its skies. While not yet operational, the military hardware was described as a "game-changer" in April by then prime minister Naftali Bennett. (Photo by Israeli Ministry of Defence / AFP) / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / ISRAELI MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ===
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BM5R22QXUEVLA6UTJW2AJ5R5GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=33e83ce253e5103517084ec835dc22a43d92b9c03d59247d47983a4bfcfb4b32&width=400&height=225)
The Iron Beam system on display at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport before US President Joe Biden's visit. AFP / Israeli Ministry of Defence
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The Iron Beam at an undisclosed location. The system's fibre laser is expected to down aerial targets within four to five seconds of firing using super heat. AFP / Israeli Ministry of Defence
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Whereas the Iron Dome launches interceptor missiles to track down projectiles, the Iron Beam will rely on lasers to strike down airborne targets. AFP / Israeli Ministry of Defence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WYQCP6CA5B6OBRATT3X6IRKZLM.jpg?smart=true&auth=acca6d139fa76e23e5bc31b2e262e64e9993a57fb0ac04c64f6bfa1ed3b60f63&width=400&height=225)
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Mr Biden attend a briefing on the Iron Dome and Iron Beam Air Defence Systems. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VMBAN2P63E6DF6O7QT54EAFD4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a829150ddc9979943a0ee509b47c73b9d56615906f3d58304cafd2499c9e8c7&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden walks with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, Mr Yair Lapid and US Defence Attache in Israel Brig Gen Shawn Harris. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVVNR2BV777ZND45XHCVMEOH2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=80297aaa11a42dfcd3f8182ed3cfa2cad76e934ed57221eae538fd4d2378363d&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden meets Israeli military officials and dignitaries. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VDODJ7CQASO5DHPYYOL5ZC57WU.jpg?smart=true&auth=581ac30730e8fda6af1a7bc359430eaf5285bab851e6a2ca40c722d995a418c3&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden is in Israel for a regional tour. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CUV366VKC6DWZZNOQXOFTFZBAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8b5766b8b43b3bebb65e543aca230de279eadea583a02705ff97e4e24f53b05f&width=400&height=225)
A handout picture released by the Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD) on April 14, 2022, shows a high-power laser interception system, developed by Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D) and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, at an undisclosed location. - Moments after US President Joe Biden touches down in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, the Israeli military will show him new hardware it says is essential to confronting Iran: anti-drone lasers. As concerns mount over drone warfare, Israel hopes the new Iron Beam system will secure its skies. While not yet operational, the military hardware was described as a "game-changer" in April by then prime minister Naftali Bennett. (Photo by Israeli Ministry of Defence / AFP) / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / ISRAELI MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ===
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BM5R22QXUEVLA6UTJW2AJ5R5GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=33e83ce253e5103517084ec835dc22a43d92b9c03d59247d47983a4bfcfb4b32&width=400&height=225)
The Iron Beam system on display at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport before US President Joe Biden's visit. AFP / Israeli Ministry of Defence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4BKGLSWZMUR2XBDIC7L4MTTXJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=58f76b23a9d7f20430258283bdff7d7e4d58548aa96811c0c20a0ccbdce7a21f&width=400&height=225)
The Iron Beam at an undisclosed location. The system's fibre laser is expected to down aerial targets within four to five seconds of firing using super heat. AFP / Israeli Ministry of Defence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z2MAPD6OAXOD6LKP5EPAPWTK34.jpg?smart=true&auth=d3bb9d53fcbbcbbc25b5efdc5fb6fbb7a1d5e536f893e169f03cd02f43a6305e&width=400&height=225)
Whereas the Iron Dome launches interceptor missiles to track down projectiles, the Iron Beam will rely on lasers to strike down airborne targets. AFP / Israeli Ministry of Defence
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WYQCP6CA5B6OBRATT3X6IRKZLM.jpg?smart=true&auth=acca6d139fa76e23e5bc31b2e262e64e9993a57fb0ac04c64f6bfa1ed3b60f63&width=400&height=225)
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Mr Biden attend a briefing on the Iron Dome and Iron Beam Air Defence Systems. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VMBAN2P63E6DF6O7QT54EAFD4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a829150ddc9979943a0ee509b47c73b9d56615906f3d58304cafd2499c9e8c7&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden walks with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, Mr Yair Lapid and US Defence Attache in Israel Brig Gen Shawn Harris. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVVNR2BV777ZND45XHCVMEOH2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=80297aaa11a42dfcd3f8182ed3cfa2cad76e934ed57221eae538fd4d2378363d&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden meets Israeli military officials and dignitaries. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VDODJ7CQASO5DHPYYOL5ZC57WU.jpg?smart=true&auth=581ac30730e8fda6af1a7bc359430eaf5285bab851e6a2ca40c722d995a418c3&width=400&height=225)
Mr Biden is in Israel for a regional tour. AP