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Iron Beam Laser System Development Complete - First Capability Delivery to IDF Scheduled for December 30, 2025

Israel Ministry of Defense

1/12/2025

These remarks were delivered by Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, Head of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), at the International DefenseTech Summit led by the IMOD's DDR&D, in collaboration with the Blavatnik Cyber Research Center at Tel Aviv University.

Dr. Gold further stated: "The Iron Beam laser system is expected to fundamentally change the rules of engagement on the battlefield. With development complete and a comprehensive testing program that has validated the system's capabilities, we are prepared to deliver initial operational capability to the IDF on December 30, 2025. Simultaneously, we are already advancing the next-generation systems.

"The defense-tech landscape has fundamentally shifted - startups are now competing directly with major defense contractors and winning. Recently, several startups competed against all major defense industries in a DDR&D procurement competition and were selected to supply the IDF with advanced attack UAV systems.

"In line with the Ministry's strategy, we are actively developing the next generation of technological surprises for future conflicts - across space, offensive, and defensive domains - and will operationalize them at the appropriate time. The DDR&D serves as a production engine for the next generation of game-changers, combining the capabilities and scale of major defense industries with the operational excellence demonstrated by startups throughout this war. This is the foundation of our strength moving forward."

Drawing lessons from Israel's ongoing military operations and real-world scenarios, the International DefenseTech Summit showcases cutting-edge advances in emerging technologies that are shaping the future of global security.

Key participants include: Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, IMOD Director General; Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, Head of the DDR&D; Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, Conference Chairman and Director of the Blavatnik ICRC at Tel Aviv University; Brig. Gen. Benny Aminov, Head of the DDR&D's Military R&D unit; Avi Berger, Head of the DDR&D's Space Program Office; Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Alon, Managing Partner at Elements Venture Capital; Michael Dodd, U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies and Acting Deputy Director of the Defense Innovation Unit; Dame Fiona Murray, Associate Dean of Innovation at MIT School of Management; Shaun Maguire, Partner at Sequoia Capital; Dr. Christian Steinborn, Head of Business Development Start-Up Activities at Rheinmetall AG; Francois Chopard, CEO & Founder of Starburst; and many other senior officials from Israel and worldwide.