Posted on 12/28/25
| News Source: Arutz-7
In an official ceremony held Sunday morning at the Rafael facility, the IDF formally received the advanced “Or Eitan” laser interception system-the world’s first operational laser system designed to neutralize aerial threats using high-powered laser technology.
The system was developed by the Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development in cooperation with Rafael. It has demonstrated its capabilities in an extensive series of tests, successfully intercepting rockets, mortar shells, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Or Eitan” is expected to be integrated into Israel’s multi-layered air defense array, serving as a complementary capability alongside existing systems, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow system.
During the ceremony, Dov Oster, one of the system’s developers and the father of the late Capt. Eitan Oster, who was killed in action in southern Lebanon and after whom the system is named, offered the traditional ‘Shehechiyanu’ blessing.
Minister Israel Katz said the achievement “changes the rules of the game and sends a clear message to all our enemies: do not test us-neither in nearby arenas nor in distant ones. Anyone who does will pay a heavy price.”