Milan – The interest in direct energy weapons increases in the Gulf region, a technology in which Israel has proclaimed a leader With the grounds of the iron beam.
In the absence of the revolutionary capacity, the military in the region are stuck with the expensive proposal to shoot interceptors during incoming threats, an untenable economic calculation for some.
Sasha Bruchmann, researcher at the Bahrain Office of the International Institute for Strategic Studies Think Tank Systems.
“There has been a shared interest in most of the things that most would like to have them, they are largely on the priority list of most regional states – however, there is no approach or umbrella of the Cooperation Council of the Gulf Common (GCC) that I am aware of to promote this cooperation in cooperation or even bilateral, “he said.
The expert noted that Saudi Arabia has already bought a smaller Chinese laser counter-drone system and that the United Arab Emirates seem to want to develop these types of weapons through independent initiatives. Janes reported Arabia efforts for this effect last month.
Mastering technology of disabling missiles, drones and smaller projectiles with lasers has long been the Holy Grail of Air Defense. So far, few countries have succeeded, with Israel and the United States among those closest to this prosecution.
The Israeli defense company Rafael has been working for more than a decade on the iron bundle – which it should deploy before the end of this year.
The intention is to integrate the system into the iron dome, which is based on kinetic interceptors, to make the package more effective. In the configuration, the iron beam would direct a large amount of small beams at the most vulnerable place of incoming threats, the incomplete.
During the edition in 2023 of the IDEX fair in Abu Dhabi, Rafael presented an iron beam model, reporting an interest in possibly exporting the system to regional customers in the future.
A representative of the company confirmed to Defense News that the company would present additional laser -based capacity during this year’s event taking place from February 17 to 21.
Bruchmann considers a sale as unlikely at the moment, given the high political issues, a purchase like this would lead. The Gulf States have condemned Israel’s offensive to Gaza, unleashed in response to a cross -border incursion of Hamas fighters.
“There are other hard options that are already in the region which can be less costly politically rather than buying Israeli at the moment-Gaza is still in the minds of everyone in the Middle East,” -It declared.
Bruchmann suggested waiting to see how Iron Beam is working once, warning that each laser beach is now limited to a few kilometers. The defensive system “should be produced and exported on a large scale”, to provide sufficient protection for large areas, he added.
Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo is corresponding in Europe for defense. It covers a wide range of subjects linked to military supply and international security, and specializes in reports on the aviation sector. It is based in Milan, Italy.