Israel's Elbit Systems announced it will develop laser weapons for installation on fighter jets and military helicopters for the Israeli Air Force. The plan was disclosed during the company's 2025 financial presentation, though specific technical details and timelines were not provided.

The move comes as Israel faces missile and drone attacks from Iran and Lebanon during a joint military operation with the United States known as 'Epic Fury'. Israel already operates the ground-based Iron Beam laser defense system, developed by Rafael, which became operational at the end of 2025 and is designed to intercept short-range aerial threats.

According to Elbit Systems President Bezhalel Machlis, deploying high-power lasers on aircraft would help overcome limitations faced by ground systems, such as weather, dust, and atmospheric turbulence. Operating above cloud cover would extend range and improve effectiveness, allowing threats to be intercepted farther from Israel's borders. He added that the technology could represent a breakthrough against drone swarms and may also have offensive capabilities.