Israeli Startup's Laser Stops 30 Drones Per Minute

Imagine a defense system small enough to mount on a Jeep that can knock 30 drones out of the sky in a single minute.

That's exactly what Esh-Tech Systems, a startup based in Omer, Israel, has quietly built over the past six years. Their Dronelight system represents a breakthrough in protecting soldiers and civilians from the growing threat of drone attacks.

Unlike existing laser systems that tackle threats one at a time, Dronelight works more like a machine gun. It fires hundreds of tiny beams the size of coins at a target. When one beam scores a hit, others immediately focus on the same spot, destroying the drone in just one or two seconds.

The system runs on only four kilowatts of power, about what a small electric heater uses. That means it can pull energy from almost any field power source without complicated charging systems. Each minute of operation costs roughly four cents.

Traditional systems like Israel's Iron Beam pack more punch but struggle with swarm attacks because they handle targets sequentially. Dronelight can intercept 30 threats per minute compared to just four for conventional laser defenses.

The startup deliberately stayed under the radar until they had a working product. Now they're conducting trials in Israel and abroad, with orders worth millions already coming from Europe and other regions.

The Ripple Effect

Esh-Tech's success shows how smaller defense companies operating outside major cities can attract top talent. One employee with a doctorate in physics commutes from Yeruham, a development town in southern Israel. The company's twenty-person team is growing, with plans to expand to Modi'in.

The Israel Innovation Authority has awarded Esh-Tech three grants, including a substantial one when the system neared completion. A few months ago, Israel's defense research directorate selected them for the Mafat for Startups program, bringing up to $2.7 million in additional support.

Armored vehicle manufacturers worldwide are already working with Esh-Tech to integrate the technology. The team is developing versions for lightweight Jeep platforms and fixed installations, making protection accessible beyond just strategic sites.

CEO Erez Riahi explains that the combination of high power, low energy use, and low cost enables wide deployment for troops moving in the field, not just permanent bases. The first operational system is expected by September 2026.

From a garage project to battlefield-ready technology in six years, Dronelight proves innovation doesn't require massive budgets or big city headquarters.