India Joins Elite Club of Nations with Successful Laser Weapon Test

India Joins Elite Club of Nations with Successful Laser Weapon Test

Hyderabad/Kurnool, April 13:
In a significant breakthrough for India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated its advanced Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) System, marking a historic moment in Indian military technology. For the first time, India has showcased its ability to shoot down fixed-wing aircraft, missiles, and swarm drones using a 30-kilowatt laser-based weapon system.

The successful field demonstration of the Land-based, Vehicle-mounted Laser DEW MK-II(A) was conducted by Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences (CHESS), a premier DRDO lab, at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

The DRDO confirmed that the system defeated fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and swarm drones, causing structural damage and disabling surveillance sensors. With this, India becomes one of the select nations, alongside the United States, China, and Russia, to develop and demonstrate such advanced Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) technology.

What is the Laser DEW MK-II(A)?

The Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) works by focusing a high-intensity laser beam on a target, heating it to the point of destruction. It is a non-kinetic weapon, meaning it neutralizes threats without traditional ammunition. Key features include:

• Power Output: 30 kilowatts
• Mounting: Vehicle-based, offering high mobility
• Targets: Fixed-wing UAVs, missiles, and drone swarms
• Effect: Causes physical damage and disrupts onboard electronics and sensors

This cutting-edge technology is part of India’s broader push to incorporate next-generation weapons into its defence forces, especially against evolving aerial threats like low-cost drones.

A Leap Towards Star Wars-like Defence Systems

Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, termed the demonstration as a milestone. “This is just the beginning of the journey,” he said. Dr. Kamat also hinted at more ambitious developments, saying DRDO is working on high-energy microwaves, electromagnetic pulse weapons, and a range of futuristic systems that could eventually provide Star Wars-style defence capability.

The Global Elite: Pioneers in Laser Weaponry

The first three countries to achieve operational capabilities in laser-based defence systems were:

1. United States: Pioneered laser weapons through projects like the LaWS (Laser Weapon System) and HELIOS, deployed on naval ships.
2. China: Developed ground-based anti-drone and anti-satellite laser systems under military modernization programs.
3. Russia: Unveiled the Peresvet laser system capable of targeting aerial and space-based threats.

Now, India joins this exclusive club, reinforcing its position as a rising power in advanced defence technologies.