Prime Minister Netanyahu's schedule for today
Following is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's schedule for today, (Tuesday, 16 September 2025):
20:15 – the Prime Minister will hold a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem (on economic matters).
The press conference will be broadcast live from the Prime Minister's Office via the Contact company.
Still photography pool: JP
Press attendance upon prior registration only, please arrive at 18:00 at the Prime Minister's Office. Please register via WhatsApp with the Prime Minister's Press Office at 053-2212391.
Entry of journalists with valid GPO card + identification.
Following is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's schedule for today, (Tuesday, 16 September 2025):
20:15 – the Prime Minister will hold a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem (on economic matters).
The press conference will be broadcast live from the Prime Minister's Office via the Contact company.
Still photography pool: JP
Press attendance upon prior registration only, please arrive at 18:00 at the Prime Minister's Office. Please register via WhatsApp with the Prime Minister's Press Office at 053-2212391.
Entry of journalists with valid GPO card + identification.
Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Air Force Command Center in the Kirya
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 16 September, 2025), at the Air Force Command Center in the Kirya [translated from Hebrew]:
"I am here at the command center in the Kirya, together with the Defense Minister, IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff, the Director of the National Security Council and senior IDF commanders. Our forces are operating in several sectors.
Several minutes ago, our pilots struck the Yemeni port of Hodeida, the main supply port for the Houthi terrorist regime.
At the same time, our forces are operating in Gaza City with the objective, of course, of achieving the defeat of the enemy, but also to evacuate the population. We are currently making efforts to open additional routes to facilitate the quicker evacuation of the Gazan population, to separate it from the terrorists we want to attack."
Attached are photographs of the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister observing the attack in Yemen.
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 16 September, 2025), at the Air Force Command Center in the Kirya [translated from Hebrew]:
"I am here at the command center in the Kirya, together with the Defense Minister, IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff, the Director of the National Security Council and senior IDF commanders. Our forces are operating in several sectors.
Several minutes ago, our pilots struck the Yemeni port of Hodeida, the main supply port for the Houthi terrorist regime.
At the same time, our forces are operating in Gaza City with the objective, of course, of achieving the defeat of the enemy, but also to evacuate the population. We are currently making efforts to open additional routes to facilitate the quicker evacuation of the Gazan population, to separate it from the terrorists we want to attack."
Attached are photographs of the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister observing the attack in Yemen.
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)
Tuesday, 16 September 2025 / 23 Elul 5785
President Isaac Herzog at German Unity Day Event: “Turning its back on Israel at this time is turning its back on Europe’s own interests. Isolating Israel plays directly into the interests of extremists who seek to destabilize and harm the free world.”
President Isaac Herzog today spoke at an event hosted by German Ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, ahead of German Unity Day.
Speaking at the event in Herzliya, the President reiterated the importance of Israel-European relations, and the mutual interest the partnership serves in many fields.
In his remarks the President said, “The collaboration in the present between Israel and Germany, and also between Israel and Europe at large, across science, research, culture, and so much more – serves the mutual interests of all partner countries. And it is important to state in these times: It must continue.”
He added, “I believe deeply and fully in the exceptional creative forces of the Israeli economy, which have proven themselves again and again. And I have no doubt that both Israel and Europe have everything to gain from economic ties between us. And everything to lose from weakening them.
“Of course, we cannot be blind or deaf to the calls within Europe to exclude Israel from collaborative frameworks in the EU and beyond. I want to be clear: Isolating, ostracizing and penalizing Israel is falling prey to the manipulations of agents of chaos. It plays directly into the interests of extremists who seek to destabilize and harm the Free World. And it weakens us all.”
“Germany’s determination to defend Israel’s contributing role within the EU framework is foundational. Both for its strategic benefit to Europe. And for the moral position it bespeaks. Europe must understand: Turning its back on Israel at this time is turning its back on Europe’s own interests. And we will all pay the price. Yes, in science and innovation, in research and culture. But especially in a weakened alliance of moderates in favor of an empowered axis of extremism. We must not allow this to happen.”
He concluded, “Make no mistake. After two heart-wrenching years of war in Gaza, we, too, wish to see it end, with our hostages freed. We, too, wish to shape a Day After for a Gaza not dominated by Hamas terror and oppression. And for a region not dominated by forces of extremism and radicalism. We wish this for Israel. We wish this for the Palestinians. And we wish this for the entire region. And for the stability of the world.”
Jason Pearlman, 052-6328795
Tuesday, 16 September 2025 / 23 Elul 5785
President Isaac Herzog at German Unity Day Event: “Turning its back on Israel at this time is turning its back on Europe’s own interests. Isolating Israel plays directly into the interests of extremists who seek to destabilize and harm the free world.”
President Isaac Herzog today spoke at an event hosted by German Ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, ahead of German Unity Day.
Speaking at the event in Herzliya, the President reiterated the importance of Israel-European relations, and the mutual interest the partnership serves in many fields.
In his remarks the President said, “The collaboration in the present between Israel and Germany, and also between Israel and Europe at large, across science, research, culture, and so much more – serves the mutual interests of all partner countries. And it is important to state in these times: It must continue.”
He added, “I believe deeply and fully in the exceptional creative forces of the Israeli economy, which have proven themselves again and again. And I have no doubt that both Israel and Europe have everything to gain from economic ties between us. And everything to lose from weakening them.
“Of course, we cannot be blind or deaf to the calls within Europe to exclude Israel from collaborative frameworks in the EU and beyond. I want to be clear: Isolating, ostracizing and penalizing Israel is falling prey to the manipulations of agents of chaos. It plays directly into the interests of extremists who seek to destabilize and harm the Free World. And it weakens us all.”
“Germany’s determination to defend Israel’s contributing role within the EU framework is foundational. Both for its strategic benefit to Europe. And for the moral position it bespeaks. Europe must understand: Turning its back on Israel at this time is turning its back on Europe’s own interests. And we will all pay the price. Yes, in science and innovation, in research and culture. But especially in a weakened alliance of moderates in favor of an empowered axis of extremism. We must not allow this to happen.”
He concluded, “Make no mistake. After two heart-wrenching years of war in Gaza, we, too, wish to see it end, with our hostages freed. We, too, wish to shape a Day After for a Gaza not dominated by Hamas terror and oppression. And for a region not dominated by forces of extremism and radicalism. We wish this for Israel. We wish this for the Palestinians. And we wish this for the entire region. And for the stability of the world.”
Jason Pearlman, 052-6328795
Link for Live Broadcast of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Economic Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/live/1jsQ4oJTlTk
https://www.youtube.com/live/1jsQ4oJTlTk
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Press Conference
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Tuesday, 16 September 2025), at the press conference:
“Yesterday, I spoke a little about the Israeli economy. So I want to repeat a story that I told. Twenty-two years ago, I took over as finance minister in one of the worst economic crises in Israel’s history. And I could only gather about half a dozen European investors and I said, you really should invest in Israel. And I told them what we were going to do: that we were going to turn Israel from a semi-socialist economy into a vibrant free-market economy with all the reforms, market reforms. And they said, well, that sounds pretty good.
So they asked me, what do you think we should invest in? And I said, anything. Invest in anything in Israel because everything you see today will be a lot more expensive tomorrow, you can make a killing. Now, I don’t know if any of them believed me. At the time, the Israeli GDP per capita was about 17,000. Today, it’s passing 55,000 and soon will reach 60,000 dollars per capita annually.
The Israeli economy is very strong. I have terrific confidence in it. It is strong, it is innovative. It weathered two economic crises: the Corona crisis, it came out first in the world, and a two-year war. We have an enormous amount of investments. People are coming and they will continue to come for everything that we’re doing, not only the economy and the technology of today but the technology of the future: cyber, AI and so many other things.
Basically, my call to you, the investors of the world: Get on board now because we are about to take off. We’re about to take off with the technologies of the future. You got a glimpse of it in the amazing possibilities and the amazing achievement of Israel in the 12-Day War with Iran. You can see the things that Israel can do that amaze the world.
That’s part of what I’m talking about. We’re talking about the technologies of the future that are here today and are being developed in Israel. I described how one analyst told me, I couldn’t believe the numbers. I couldn’t believe the numbers that I was seeing. This cannot be an economy at war, but it is."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1hnvRyhjpQ
Video credit: GPO
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Tuesday, 16 September 2025), at the press conference:
“Yesterday, I spoke a little about the Israeli economy. So I want to repeat a story that I told. Twenty-two years ago, I took over as finance minister in one of the worst economic crises in Israel’s history. And I could only gather about half a dozen European investors and I said, you really should invest in Israel. And I told them what we were going to do: that we were going to turn Israel from a semi-socialist economy into a vibrant free-market economy with all the reforms, market reforms. And they said, well, that sounds pretty good.
So they asked me, what do you think we should invest in? And I said, anything. Invest in anything in Israel because everything you see today will be a lot more expensive tomorrow, you can make a killing. Now, I don’t know if any of them believed me. At the time, the Israeli GDP per capita was about 17,000. Today, it’s passing 55,000 and soon will reach 60,000 dollars per capita annually.
The Israeli economy is very strong. I have terrific confidence in it. It is strong, it is innovative. It weathered two economic crises: the Corona crisis, it came out first in the world, and a two-year war. We have an enormous amount of investments. People are coming and they will continue to come for everything that we’re doing, not only the economy and the technology of today but the technology of the future: cyber, AI and so many other things.
Basically, my call to you, the investors of the world: Get on board now because we are about to take off. We’re about to take off with the technologies of the future. You got a glimpse of it in the amazing possibilities and the amazing achievement of Israel in the 12-Day War with Iran. You can see the things that Israel can do that amaze the world.
That’s part of what I’m talking about. We’re talking about the technologies of the future that are here today and are being developed in Israel. I described how one analyst told me, I couldn’t believe the numbers. I couldn’t believe the numbers that I was seeing. This cannot be an economy at war, but it is."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1hnvRyhjpQ
Video credit: GPO
Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)
YouTube
PM Netanyahu Holds an Economic Press Conference
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening, at the press conference:
“Yesterday, I spoke a little about the Israeli economy. So I want to repeat a story that I told. Twenty-two years ago, I took over as finance minister in one of the worst economic…
“Yesterday, I spoke a little about the Israeli economy. So I want to repeat a story that I told. Twenty-two years ago, I took over as finance minister in one of the worst economic…
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with Fijian Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Wednesday, 17 September 2025), at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, hosted Fijian Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
During the meeting, Prime Minister thanked his Fijian counterpart for his steadfast support and stand alongside the State of Israel, and discussed regional diplomatic and security issues with him.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife were invited by Fijian Prime Minister Rabuka to visit Fiji.
Following the meeting, the two leaders will go to the festive opening of the Fijian Embassy in Jerusalem our capital.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8alr4AOuGYQ
Video credit: Itay Beit-On (GPO)
Attached photo credits: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Wednesday, 17 September 2025), at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, hosted Fijian Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
During the meeting, Prime Minister thanked his Fijian counterpart for his steadfast support and stand alongside the State of Israel, and discussed regional diplomatic and security issues with him.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife were invited by Fijian Prime Minister Rabuka to visit Fiji.
Following the meeting, the two leaders will go to the festive opening of the Fijian Embassy in Jerusalem our capital.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8alr4AOuGYQ
Video credit: Itay Beit-On (GPO)
Attached photo credits: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Dedication of the Fijian Embassy in Jerusalem: "You recognize a truth that everybody should recognize, but few governments have so far. That this has been our capital for 3,000 years, since the days of King David."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Wednesday, 17 September 2025), attended the dedication of the Fijian Embassy in Jerusalem, together with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar.
Prime Minister Netanyahu at the ceremony:
"It's a moving moment to have you here, with your ambassador, your staff, your delegation, our foreign minister, deputy foreign minister and all the friends who've gathered here at this important moment.
First of all, only one time you can be seventh. Then comes eighth, ninth; seven is an important number, it's a symbolic number in our tradition.; You're opening an embassy in the 'City on the Hill,' the city of Jerusalem.
Here, next to the walls of our ancient city, the prophets spoke, the kings of Israel ruled, and some of the greatest insights of human faith and values were inscribed here. They were etched in our hearts and in the hearts of people all over the world.
When I listened to your anthem just now, I heard words that came from Zion, from Israel, from here – from Jerusalem. The words that came from here. So we have a common bond, a common civilization, even though you are on the other side of the Earth in the middle of an ocean, happily surrounded by water. As long as it doesn't rise, it's very good.
But we are together over the years, in many instances, in many great issues, and the first one is peace. You mentioned it. You were a soldier of peace. You were in a peace-keeping force. The idea of peace, peace between nations, peace between men and women around the world. That idea that all human beings are endowed with the right to live, the right to be free, the idea that slavery wasn't permanent. Three thousand years ago, that was a crazy idea, that people are basically important in themselves, every individual. That is a bedrock of our common faith and our common values. So this is more than a political moment. It's a sharing of great values and great purposes.
These values are challenged in our region. We have just been engaged for close to two years in a seven-front war against those who don't accept anything that I've just said. They celebrate a cult of death, they wish to extinguish the life of the Jewish state, but they threaten the lives of all who share our values and all who share the core of our civilization. It's very important that we brothers help one another. I'm proud of the fact that we have been involved in the development of Fiji. We talked today about many other things we can do and we intend to take this on with much vigor and much enthusiasm.
But the most important thing is what we're doing now.
The fact that you have come here, and you have put your embassy in Jerusalem and you recognize a truth that everybody should recognize, but few governments have so far. That this has been our capital for 3,000 years, since the days of King David, and in many ways, you spoke about the fact that you enabled, you're very proud of the fact that the first ambassador, you accepted him into your house. Welcome to our house, Mr. Prime Minister, which is your house and the house of the people of Fiji."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okf1JVHLYgw
Video credit: Itay Beit-On (GPO) / Sound credit: Ben Peretz (GPO)
Attached photo credits: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Wednesday, 17 September 2025), attended the dedication of the Fijian Embassy in Jerusalem, together with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar.
Prime Minister Netanyahu at the ceremony:
"It's a moving moment to have you here, with your ambassador, your staff, your delegation, our foreign minister, deputy foreign minister and all the friends who've gathered here at this important moment.
First of all, only one time you can be seventh. Then comes eighth, ninth; seven is an important number, it's a symbolic number in our tradition.; You're opening an embassy in the 'City on the Hill,' the city of Jerusalem.
Here, next to the walls of our ancient city, the prophets spoke, the kings of Israel ruled, and some of the greatest insights of human faith and values were inscribed here. They were etched in our hearts and in the hearts of people all over the world.
When I listened to your anthem just now, I heard words that came from Zion, from Israel, from here – from Jerusalem. The words that came from here. So we have a common bond, a common civilization, even though you are on the other side of the Earth in the middle of an ocean, happily surrounded by water. As long as it doesn't rise, it's very good.
But we are together over the years, in many instances, in many great issues, and the first one is peace. You mentioned it. You were a soldier of peace. You were in a peace-keeping force. The idea of peace, peace between nations, peace between men and women around the world. That idea that all human beings are endowed with the right to live, the right to be free, the idea that slavery wasn't permanent. Three thousand years ago, that was a crazy idea, that people are basically important in themselves, every individual. That is a bedrock of our common faith and our common values. So this is more than a political moment. It's a sharing of great values and great purposes.
These values are challenged in our region. We have just been engaged for close to two years in a seven-front war against those who don't accept anything that I've just said. They celebrate a cult of death, they wish to extinguish the life of the Jewish state, but they threaten the lives of all who share our values and all who share the core of our civilization. It's very important that we brothers help one another. I'm proud of the fact that we have been involved in the development of Fiji. We talked today about many other things we can do and we intend to take this on with much vigor and much enthusiasm.
But the most important thing is what we're doing now.
The fact that you have come here, and you have put your embassy in Jerusalem and you recognize a truth that everybody should recognize, but few governments have so far. That this has been our capital for 3,000 years, since the days of King David, and in many ways, you spoke about the fact that you enabled, you're very proud of the fact that the first ambassador, you accepted him into your house. Welcome to our house, Mr. Prime Minister, which is your house and the house of the people of Fiji."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okf1JVHLYgw
Video credit: Itay Beit-On (GPO) / Sound credit: Ben Peretz (GPO)
Attached photo credits: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
Israel Ministry of Defense Spokesperson's Statement
Israel MOD and Rafael Announce: Development of High-Power Laser System Completed Delivery for IDF Operational Use Expected in the Near Term
The R&D Unit within the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), the Israeli Air Force (IAF), and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have successfully completed a series of tests lasting several weeks, demonstrating the capabilities of the Iron Beam high-power laser system, with Elbit Systems serving as a project partner manufacturing the laser source.
The test series, conducted at a facility in southern Israel, concludes the development phase and represents the final milestone before delivering the system to the IDF for operational deployment. The system proved its effectiveness in a complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios. The successful trials mark a critical milestone towards operational deployment, with the first systems set to be integrated into the IDF air defense arrays by year-end.
Iron Beam is a ground-based high-power laser air defense system designed to counter aerial threats, including rockets, mortars, and UAVs. It features an advanced targeting system that enables enhanced operational range, high precision, and superior efficiency while maintaining its unique advantage of rapidly neutralizing threats using laser technology at negligible cost. The R&D Unit within the Ministry’s DDR&D has spearheaded the system's development, working alongside primary developer Rafael.
The Iron Beam system represents a global technological and engineering breakthrough, expected to integrate into Israel's multi-layered defense array as a complementary capability to the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow air defense systems. The system utilizes Rafael's unique "adaptive optics" technology, enabling a stable, focused, and precise beam.
As announced last May, operational prototypes of Rafael’s short-range tactical laser systems have been deployed throughout the current war and have successfully intercepted and defeated dozens of threats. Now that the Iron Beam’s performance has been proven, we anticipate a significant leap in air defense capabilities through the deployment of these long-range laser weapon systems.
Defense Minister, Israel Katz: "Achieving operational laser interception capability places the State of Israel at the forefront of global military technology and makes Israel the first nation to possess this capability. This is not only a moment of national pride, but a historic milestone for our defense envelope: rapid, precise interception at marginal cost that joins our existing defense systems and changes the threat equation. I thank all the people in the defense establishment who brought us to this moment. This achievement is theirs, and the people of Israel have much to be proud of. Our enemies from Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and other arenas should know: just as we are strong in defense, we are strong in offense - and we will do everything to protect the security of Israeli citizens."
IMOD Director General, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram: "Today marks the completion of our high-power laser system development - a historic milestone for Israel's defense establishment and defense industries. This is the first time in the world that a high-power laser interception system has reached full operational maturity, completing numerous interceptions across various simulated operational scenarios. The high-power laser system will integrate within Israel's multi-layered defense array, further enhancing multi-layered integration with additional missile interceptors through optimal cost-effectiveness and leveraging relative advantages against threat types, ranges, and environmental conditions."
Head of DDR&D, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold: "The Iron Beam system exemplifies the exceptional capabilities of our defense industries under the DDR&D’s leadership - combining creativity,
Israel MOD and Rafael Announce: Development of High-Power Laser System Completed Delivery for IDF Operational Use Expected in the Near Term
The R&D Unit within the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), the Israeli Air Force (IAF), and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have successfully completed a series of tests lasting several weeks, demonstrating the capabilities of the Iron Beam high-power laser system, with Elbit Systems serving as a project partner manufacturing the laser source.
The test series, conducted at a facility in southern Israel, concludes the development phase and represents the final milestone before delivering the system to the IDF for operational deployment. The system proved its effectiveness in a complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios. The successful trials mark a critical milestone towards operational deployment, with the first systems set to be integrated into the IDF air defense arrays by year-end.
Iron Beam is a ground-based high-power laser air defense system designed to counter aerial threats, including rockets, mortars, and UAVs. It features an advanced targeting system that enables enhanced operational range, high precision, and superior efficiency while maintaining its unique advantage of rapidly neutralizing threats using laser technology at negligible cost. The R&D Unit within the Ministry’s DDR&D has spearheaded the system's development, working alongside primary developer Rafael.
The Iron Beam system represents a global technological and engineering breakthrough, expected to integrate into Israel's multi-layered defense array as a complementary capability to the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow air defense systems. The system utilizes Rafael's unique "adaptive optics" technology, enabling a stable, focused, and precise beam.
As announced last May, operational prototypes of Rafael’s short-range tactical laser systems have been deployed throughout the current war and have successfully intercepted and defeated dozens of threats. Now that the Iron Beam’s performance has been proven, we anticipate a significant leap in air defense capabilities through the deployment of these long-range laser weapon systems.
Defense Minister, Israel Katz: "Achieving operational laser interception capability places the State of Israel at the forefront of global military technology and makes Israel the first nation to possess this capability. This is not only a moment of national pride, but a historic milestone for our defense envelope: rapid, precise interception at marginal cost that joins our existing defense systems and changes the threat equation. I thank all the people in the defense establishment who brought us to this moment. This achievement is theirs, and the people of Israel have much to be proud of. Our enemies from Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and other arenas should know: just as we are strong in defense, we are strong in offense - and we will do everything to protect the security of Israeli citizens."
IMOD Director General, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram: "Today marks the completion of our high-power laser system development - a historic milestone for Israel's defense establishment and defense industries. This is the first time in the world that a high-power laser interception system has reached full operational maturity, completing numerous interceptions across various simulated operational scenarios. The high-power laser system will integrate within Israel's multi-layered defense array, further enhancing multi-layered integration with additional missile interceptors through optimal cost-effectiveness and leveraging relative advantages against threat types, ranges, and environmental conditions."
Head of DDR&D, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold: "The Iron Beam system exemplifies the exceptional capabilities of our defense industries under the DDR&D’s leadership - combining creativity,
innovation, and ingenuity with outstanding management and execution. We've achieved global technological superiority through deployment on the battlefield by successfully integrating conventional defense industries and startup companies. Following these successful trials, we're confident that combining laser and missile interceptors will significantly strengthen our defense envelope against rockets, missiles, UAVs, and emerging threats."
Head of the R&D Unit, Brig. Gen. Yehuda Elmakayes: "Completing the Iron Beam capability demonstration marks the dawn of the era of widespread laser systems. After years of development and engineering led by our R&D Unit, in partnership with the IAF, Rafael, Elbit, and our defense industries, we've reached the stage where high-power laser systems are integral to Israel's air defense array. Through the R&D Unit's leadership at the DDR&D, Iron Beam will be the first step toward integrating directed energy weapons across all IDF defense and maneuvering systems."
Rafael Chairman, Dr. Yuval Steinitz: "Rafael is the first and only company worldwide to successfully transform high-power laser technology into a fully mature, operational interception system capable of intercepting missiles and UAVs. We're immensely proud of Rafael's leadership in this operational and technological breakthrough. Today's complex trial results prove that the talented team behind the Iron Dome is again revolutionizing warfare with what we call the 'Laser Dome.' Rafael's laser system, built on our proprietary adaptive optics technology, will undoubtedly be a game-changing system with unprecedented impact on modern warfare."
Rafael CEO and President, Yoav Tourgeman: "Rafael proudly concludes this successful, comprehensive laser system trial series, which included numerous complex scenarios that the system handled excellently. Rafael leads the laser interception revolution with operational systems representing the world's most advanced technology. The ingenuity and boldness of Rafael's premier scientists and massive R&D investments have produced technological breakthroughs and a globally significant operational-technological achievement. Rafael's defense and offensive systems continue proving their battlefield effectiveness, contributing significantly to Israel's security and citizen protection. In the coming months, we'll deliver the first Iron Beam system from Rafael's production lines to the defense establishment - a system that will fundamentally change the defense equation by enabling precise, rapid, and cost-effective interception unmatched by any existing system."
Attached are images of the system, video footage, and soundbites from the IMOD and Rafael for your use.
Link for the images: https://www.jumbomail.me/j/4dGI4huj10uroRk
Link for the video footage: https://www.jumbomail.me/j/oeVeCH5Wd0q6psO
Link for the soundbites: https://www.jumbomail.me/j/i5eH-rhRH0q6Lba
Credit: Israel Ministry of Defense
For any media-related queries, please contact Nina Zaydenberg, IMOD Spokesperson to International Media: 0544622513 | 0506291093 | Dover@mod.gov.il
Media and Public Affairs Bureau
Israel Ministry of Defense
Head of the R&D Unit, Brig. Gen. Yehuda Elmakayes: "Completing the Iron Beam capability demonstration marks the dawn of the era of widespread laser systems. After years of development and engineering led by our R&D Unit, in partnership with the IAF, Rafael, Elbit, and our defense industries, we've reached the stage where high-power laser systems are integral to Israel's air defense array. Through the R&D Unit's leadership at the DDR&D, Iron Beam will be the first step toward integrating directed energy weapons across all IDF defense and maneuvering systems."
Rafael Chairman, Dr. Yuval Steinitz: "Rafael is the first and only company worldwide to successfully transform high-power laser technology into a fully mature, operational interception system capable of intercepting missiles and UAVs. We're immensely proud of Rafael's leadership in this operational and technological breakthrough. Today's complex trial results prove that the talented team behind the Iron Dome is again revolutionizing warfare with what we call the 'Laser Dome.' Rafael's laser system, built on our proprietary adaptive optics technology, will undoubtedly be a game-changing system with unprecedented impact on modern warfare."
Rafael CEO and President, Yoav Tourgeman: "Rafael proudly concludes this successful, comprehensive laser system trial series, which included numerous complex scenarios that the system handled excellently. Rafael leads the laser interception revolution with operational systems representing the world's most advanced technology. The ingenuity and boldness of Rafael's premier scientists and massive R&D investments have produced technological breakthroughs and a globally significant operational-technological achievement. Rafael's defense and offensive systems continue proving their battlefield effectiveness, contributing significantly to Israel's security and citizen protection. In the coming months, we'll deliver the first Iron Beam system from Rafael's production lines to the defense establishment - a system that will fundamentally change the defense equation by enabling precise, rapid, and cost-effective interception unmatched by any existing system."
Attached are images of the system, video footage, and soundbites from the IMOD and Rafael for your use.
Link for the images: https://www.jumbomail.me/j/4dGI4huj10uroRk
Link for the video footage: https://www.jumbomail.me/j/oeVeCH5Wd0q6psO
Link for the soundbites: https://www.jumbomail.me/j/i5eH-rhRH0q6Lba
Credit: Israel Ministry of Defense
For any media-related queries, please contact Nina Zaydenberg, IMOD Spokesperson to International Media: 0544622513 | 0506291093 | Dover@mod.gov.il
Media and Public Affairs Bureau
Israel Ministry of Defense