Iron Dome air defenses upgraded, ‘incorporating lessons learned’ from Iran war

Defense ministry says ‘extensive’ tests included ‘joint operation scenarios’ with Iron Beam laser system, which was deployed at end of 2025, but whose coverage remains partial

By Emanuel Fabian

You will receive email alerts from this author.

Manage alert preferences on your profile page

You will no longer receive email alerts from this author.

Manage alert preferences on your profile page

Today, 6:39 pm

Edit

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Israel’s Iron Dome short-range air defense system has been upgraded following an “extensive series of tests,” following the Iran war, the Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday.

The tests — carried out by the ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) and the Rafael defense firm — were conducted against a “range of advanced threats, while incorporating operational lessons learned during the war and operations against Iran,” the ministry said in a statement.

During the tests, “several upgrades introduced to the system were tested to further improve its ability to deal with scenarios simulating existing and future threats, including rockets, cruise missiles, and UAVs,” it continued.

Additionally, the high-powered laser interception system Iron Beam — developed as a complementary system to Iron Dome — was tested alongside the Iron Dome in “joint operation scenarios,” from the Iron Dome’s command center.

“The new capabilities demonstrated in the tests constitute a significant step in improving the ability to contend with a wide range of attack scenarios,” the statement added, calling it one component in its strategy to preserve Israel’s “qualitative and strategic advantage in defense and offense.”

Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition

by email and never miss our top stories

By signing up, you agree to the terms

Israel’s multi-layered air defense array has been crucial in recent months defending the country against both short-range rocket attacks from Lebanon — the sort of projectiles Iron Dome is designed to intercept — and ballistic missile attacks from Iran, which are dealt with by long-range systems like the Arrow.

This video published by the Defense Ministry on June 30, 2026, shows recent tests conducted with the Iron Dome and Iron Beam air defense systems. (Defense Ministry)

The Iron Beam was only recently integrated into the Israel Defense Forces’ defense array, with the first operational system delivered to the military in December 2025.

Within Israel, it is intended to supplement other air defense systems, shooting down smaller projectiles and leaving larger ones for the more robust missile-based batteries.

As long as there is a constant source of energy for the laser, there is no risk of it ever running out of ammunition. Officials have hailed the system as a potential “game-changer” in the battle against projectile attacks.

But while the military has deployed one Iron Beam system, it has seen limited use and has not yet been declared operational within the IDF.

A senior officer said in May that the Iron Beam’s coverage is partial, and more time would be needed for a wider and more complete laser-based defense array.

The military is seeking at least 14 Iron Beam batteries to have a significant enough impact, according to the officer.

Amid the latest war with Iran, Israel deployed an Iron Dome battery to the United Arab Emirates, along with troops to operate it, marking the first time the system has been sent to a country outside of Israel and the US.

If you’d like to comment, join

The Times of Israel Community.