Dr. Oded Amichai is the chairman of the association 'Magan LaOraf', an expert in laser systems and a business development consultant in the fields of laser and electro-optics. Initiated and managed in Raphael in the 1970s an innovative and original project with a powerful laser. He was one of the initiators of the "Nautilus" project in the early 1990s.

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The brutal Iranian attack on Israel during the night from Saturday to Sunday is severe and unprecedented in the tense relations between the two countries. Over several hours Iran launched against Israel 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles, and 110 ballistic missiles, a total of 331 threats aimed at 2 main targets, northern Golan Heights, and 2 air force bases in the south.

The combined defense of Israel, the USA, and other allies was phenomenal. The drones were intercepted by fighter jets using anti-aircraft missiles, some by the USA and its allies, mostly in the border areas of Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.

Most of the cruise missiles were intercepted by fighter jets using anti-aircraft missiles, and some by the David's Sling system. Most of the ballistic missiles were intercepted by Arrow 2-3 systems.

Deep gratitude and acclamation to the USA and its President Biden, as well as the allies who rallied to defend Israel, and also managed to prevent the escalation of the conflict for the time being. Praise and appreciation to the Air Force, the IMOD, and the defense industries for their proper preparedness and the performance of the Air Force and defense systems, which prevented severe damage to Israel.

Nevertheless, there is no place for euphoria bragging about 99% success.

1. American sources reported that 5 missiles hit one base and 4 impacts at another base, totaling 9 impacts.

2. According to the New York Times, American warships also participated in the interceptions and destroyed 6 ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, using SM-3 missiles.

3. Of the 110 ballistic missiles launched at Israel, about half were damaged, and there was no need to intercept them.

4. The success rate for intercepting ballistic missiles is therefore about 80%, with usually one and a half missiles launched per target. These values are also consistent with success rates in previous interceptions.

5. The targets attacked are in isolated locations, and it is clear that if the attack had been carried out on populated areas, the damage would have been much more severe. Iran refrained from attacking populated areas due to fears of a particularly sharp response from Israel and its allies.

6. Iran's attack on Israel, and the immediate support provided by the USA and its allies to Israel, highlighted the necessity for Israel to closely cooperate with the USA. The idea of "a nation that dwells alone" has no place in our complex world.

The cost of intercepting the Iranian launches is estimated at 5 billion shekels. A senior defense official stated that those who want to defend themselves should consider the potential damage versus the benefit, not the cost of the interceptions.

This is an ancient, refuted, and populist argument:

* Money doesn't grow on trees, and the number of expensive interceptor missiles that Israel can afford to produce and equip itself with is limited.

* Even with the help of the USA, Israel would not be able to withstand many more nights of such launches—the stock of interceptor missiles would run out, and producing new ones would take several months.

* Alternatives must be compared, and the laser alternative is several orders of magnitude cheaper than the expensive interceptor missiles.

A former senior politician spoke dismissively last night about "a few lobbyists who muddled the brain on the laser issue." I hope this is his personal opinion, which is irrelevant, and that the IMOD will take real lessons from the massive Iranian shooting event and will advance as quickly as possible the development of powerful laser systems, to serve as a significant component in the future defense of the state against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, mortars and other future threats.

It's a vital need, crying out to the high heavens. It is crucial to cooperate with a leading American company in the laser field, which has far superior systemic experience than ours in this area. I have already written in another context, that the idea of "do it yourself" is not appropriate.

I call on the IMOD to move beyond the euphoria of the successful night of intercepting the Iranian launches and to properly prepare for what's to come. Only a combination of powerful ground-based and airborne laser systems with the existing missile defense systems will provide Israel with adequate security. Cooperation with the USA in this matter is vital, and it also aligns with American interests.

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