Israeli Air Force set to become first to deploy airborne laser weapons

Haifa-based Elbit Systems delivered its strongest financial performance to date in 2025, with revenue reaching $7.94 billion, a 16% increase, and profit climbing sharply to $534 million.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems has received its first order from the Defense Ministry for the development and initial equipping of laser pods for fighter jets and a laser system for helicopters.

The technology would make the Israeli Air Force the first to deploy lasers as an aerial weapon.

The disclosure was made in Elbit’s year-end report, released on Tuesday.

“During 2025, Elbit Systems achieved significant milestones, most notably securing a contract from the IMOD for an Airborne High-Power Laser (HPL) combat jet fighter pod and for a High-Power Laser (HPL) system for helicopters,” the report said in a statement attributed to Elbit CEO Bezhalel Machlis.

The report did not indicate a timeframe.

The Haifa-based Elbit delivered its strongest financial performance to date in 2025, with revenue reaching $7.94 billion, a 16% increase, and profit climbing sharply to $534 million.

The company’s order book expanded to $28.1 billion, while it generated $553 million in cash. Quarterly revenue in the final three months of the year came to $2.1 billion.

The sharpest growth came from land-based operations, where sales surged 38% amid heightened ammunition demand across Israel and Europe.

Other business lines, including communications, naval and space technologies, and electronic warfare systems, posted solid 16% gains.

European demand, fueled by the war in Ukraine, has driven a fivefold increase in regional sales in recent years, surpassing $2 billion in 2025. Israel remained its top customer, with defense purchases totaling $2.5 billion.

Elbit is best known for its Hermes unmanned aerial vehicles and the DASH Helmet Mounted Sight, which enables pilots to target by sight.

It also produces artillery systems, electronic warfare systems, anti-drone technologies, and armored vehicles, among other things.