India has successfully demonstrated its capability to neutralise fixed-wing aircraft, missiles, and swarm drones using a 30-kilowatt laser-based weapon system, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s defense technology.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed this directed-energy weapon (DEW), which is now ready for production and deployment across various military platforms.
With this achievement, India joins an elite group of countries, including the United States, China, and Russia, that possess advanced laser weapon capabilities.
DRDO chairman Dr Samir V Kamat said: “This is just the beginning of the journey. The synergy that this lab has achieved with other DRDO labs, industry and academia, I am sure we will reach our destination soon… We are also working on other high energy systems like high energy microwaves, electromagnetic pulse. So we are working on a number of technologies that will give us Star Wars capability. What you saw today was one of the components of Star Wars technologies.”
The 30-kilowatt laser weapon system is designed to counter aerial threats such as drones and helicopters within a range of 5 kilometers.
It features advanced electronic warfare capabilities, including jamming communication and satellite signals.
Its versatility allows it to be adapted for both ground-based and shipborne applications, enhancing India’s defense readiness across multiple domains. The system is equipped with a 360-degree Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor for precise targeting and can be rapidly deployed via air, rail, road, or sea.
India’s efforts in directed-energy weapons extend beyond the 30-kilowatt system.
The DRDO is also developing more powerful systems, such as the 300-kilowatt “Surya” laser weapon, which boasts an operational range of 20 kilometers.
This system is designed to target high-speed aerial threats like missiles and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), further strengthening India’s position in modern warfare. These advancements align with global trends emphasizing high-power lasers for missile defense and counter-drone operations.
