(JNS) Within approximately 18 months, Israel is expected to deploy the world’s first laser defense systems, on borders that have Iranian-backed terrorist armies on the other side.

Gaza, Lebanon and Syria all made good candidates for the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Iron Beam, which has been in development for nearly 20 years. The laser system will be integrated directly into the Rafael-made Iron Dome air defense batteries, which have been in operation since 2011.

The laser system is designed to complement, not replace Iron Dome. Nevertheless, the laser system has several relative advantages.

For one thing, the laser costs just a few dollars to fire, compared to the average cost of $50,000 per Tamir interceptor. Furthermore, the laser strikes its target within seconds, far faster than kinetic interceptors.

Iron Beam can also be used to provide site-specific protection for strategic locations such as power plants and ports. Once the laser capability becomes established, Israel could also begin to focus on intercepting threats in enemy airspace, thereby theoretically reducing the need to activate rocket alerts.