U.S.–Israel Defense Cooperation

Israel unveiled its Iron Beam laser air‑defense system and says it has already used the weapon in combat, while reporting a record $15 billion in arms exports for 2024. The Rafael‑built system, co-developed with Lockheed Martin and backed by $1.2 billion in U.S. Pentagon funding, intercepts rockets, mortars and drones up to six miles away for about $1–$2 per shot, with initial deployments planned in northern Israel and technology shared with the U.S. Army.