Israel is developing space-based laser weapons capable of striking targets beyond Earth's atmosphere, Defense Minister I...

Israel is developing space-based laser weapons capable of striking targets beyond Earth's atmosphere, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Monday during a briefing with military journalists. Katz said no country currently possesses the ability to conduct offensive operations in space, and that Israel intends to change that. He described it as a joint priority with Prime Minister Netanyahu, focused on attracting top scientific talent to make it happen. The goal, he said, would give Israel a major strategic edge in deterrence along with the ability to strike and destroy targets belonging to well-resourced adversaries. This was the first time Katz explicitly mentioned "space lasers" by name. Last Thursday he had stated more broadly that Israel wants to become a leading power in offensive space operations, but Monday's briefing was more specific on the technology involved. Israel already has a head start in laser weapons. The country operates Iron Beam, a ground-based laser air defense system, and is reportedly developing laser capabilities for fighter jets as well. Space-based lasers would be the next step in that progression. Katz appeared to be pointing squarely at Iran during the briefing. He noted that during the recent conflict, Israeli forces struck multiple Iranian facilities tied to space programs, including infrastructure that Israel says was being developed to attack satellites. The announcement signals a significant escalation in the militarization of space, with Israel positioning itself as the first nation to field offensive strike capabilities above the atmosphere. #Israel #SpaceWeapons #IronBeam