Israel Ramps Up Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Iron Beam Production as Readiness Concerns Mount After Years of War

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel announced a major expansion of its air-defense production last Thursday, accelerating manufacturing of Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the emerging Iron Beam laser system amid warnings that two years of nonstop conflict have strained the country’s defensive readiness.

Defense Ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Baram signed a new procurement order with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to deliver “a substantial quantity of Iron Dome interceptors” to the Israel Defense Forces. The decision follows what officials describe as an unprecedented depletion of interceptor stockpiles after tens of thousands of rockets, drones, and missiles were fired at Israel since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.

Baram said the evolving threat environment requires faster production cycles. “We remain committed to strengthening the readiness and operational capacity of the IDF in an increasingly complex security environment,” he said, describing the agreement as a critical step in ensuring the systems remain fully prepared.

He also emphasized the impact of Israel’s flagship defense system during the conflict. “The Iron Dome system has fundamentally transformed the battlefield, demonstrating unprecedented interception capabilities on a global scale against a vast spectrum of threats,” Baram said. “This contract will dramatically enhance the multi-layered defense posture and strategic stability of the State of Israel.”

Rafael President and CEO Yoav Turgeman said Iron Dome and David’s Sling have been central to Israel’s survival over the past two years. “Rafael’s air-defense systems, Iron Dome and David’s Sling, have played a major role in Israel’s air defense and have repeatedly demonstrated their exceptional ability to intercept a wide range of threats targeting Israeli civilians,” he said.

Turgeman noted that a new technological layer is nearing deployment. “Soon, they will be joined by the first operational laser-based defense system emerging from Rafael’s production lines,” he said, referring to Iron Beam.

Rafael Chairman Dr. Yuval Steinitz said the procurement keeps Israel ahead of its adversaries. “The procurement of interceptors from Rafael marks a significant leap forward that will secure Israel’s decisive technological advantage for years to come,” he said.

A portion of the acceleration is funded by the $5.2 billion U.S. aid package passed in 2024, which supports interceptor production for Iron Dome and David’s Sling as well as final development of the Iron Beam laser.

Baram said Israel intends to deepen its U.S. partnership across future projects. “Joint production in Israel and the United States exemplifies the potential of our technological and industrial partnership – a collaboration the Israel Ministry of Defense is eager to expand across additional systems and domains,” he said.

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