US, Israel plan joint laser improvement — RT World Information

American and Israeli protection contractors will work collectively on constructing laser weapons that may shoot down enemy missiles, President Joe Biden introduced throughout a go to to Jerusalem.

“As we transfer ahead collectively – companions in each safety and innovation – the US and Israel protection sectors will cooperate in new, high-energy laser weapon methods that may defend Israeli lives in addition to the lives of American service members,” Biden mentioned on Thursday in a joint press convention with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid at his aspect.

The president made his feedback after assembly with Lapid and pledging that Washington would by no means “permit Iran to amass a nuclear weapon” and was prepared to make use of “all parts of its nationwide energy to make sure that end result.” Declaring that the “scourge of antisemitism nonetheless marches world wide,” he added, “You might have an ironclad dedication from the US of America to Israel’s safety, an ironclad dedication.”

Biden famous that the US offered document navy assist to Israel final yr – including an additional $1 billion to its base outlays, which common $3.8 billion yearly – to assist the nation replenish the cache of missile interceptors for its so-called Iron Dome protection system. “You might have new instruments to maintain Israel sturdy and safe,” he mentioned, including, “We’ll guarantee that Israel can defend itself, by itself.”

After arriving in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Biden toured a show of Israel’s air protection know-how, together with the Iron Dome and the Arrow and David’s Sling surface-to-air missile methods. He mentioned he additionally noticed a presentation on the Iron Beam, a laser-based system that’s beneath improvement.

Israeli protection officers claimed in April that the Iron Beam had handed a collection of “groundbreaking” exams, proving its capability to intercept rockets, drones, anti-tank missiles and shrapnel. It’s scheduled to enter service someday this yr, beating an earlier goal of 2024.

Israel has sought US funding to assist fund additional improvement of the Iron Beam. Haifa-based Rafael Superior Protection Techniques, which is state-owned, mentioned final yr that it might collaborate with US protection contractor Lockheed Martin on a ground-based laser weapon for Israel. The businesses signed a tentative settlement to discover alternatives to market the system within the US.