DRDO Laser Weapon: DRDO has built a new laser-based weapon that can destroy enemy drones, missiles, and even aircraft. This new system shows that India is now part of an elite group of countries like the United States, China, and Russia that have strong laser weapon technology.
The laser weapon is called the Mk-II(A) Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). DRDO tested it in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, and it worked very well. The laser has a power of 30 kilowatts and is made to shoot down small flying objects like drones and helicopters.
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During the test, the laser weapon showed that it could destroy fixed-wing drones from far away, stop a group of attacking drones at once, and break enemy sensors and antennas. DRDO said, “The lightning speed of engagement, accompanied by the precision of the strike within a few seconds, makes it one of the most potent counter-drone systems.”
#WATCH | Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh: For the first time, India has showcased its capability to shoot down fixed-wing aircraft, missiles and swarm drones using a 30-kilowatt laser-based weapon system. India has joined list of selected countries, including the US, China, and Russia,… pic.twitter.com/fjGHmqH8N4
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2025
This weapon is completely made in India by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in Hyderabad. It is now ready to be used in the military. The laser can hit targets within 5 kilometers. It also has extra features that can jam enemy communication and satellite signals. This makes it not just a weapon to destroy drones but also a smart tool in electronic warfare.
The system comes with special sensors called EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared), which help it see clearly and attack with high accuracy. It can turn 360 degrees to look in all directions. The laser weapon can also be placed on ships for Navy use or moved quickly by road, rail, air, or sea. This means it can be used anywhere on land or water and can travel fast to where it is needed.
According to ANI, Dr Samir V Kamat, Chairman of DRDO, 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.”
He added, “As far as I know, it is the United States, Russia and China that have demonstrated this capability. Israel is also working on similar capabilities, I would say we are the fourth or fifth country in the world to demonstrate this system.”
Dr Jagannath Nayak, Director of the Centre for High Energy System, and Sciences (CHESS), DRDO says, “Whatever we have achieved today is a great success, and we have seen that we have neutralised fixed-wing aircraft at long range and then we have also seen that we have neutralised swarm drone… with the laser weapon, we can neutralise multiple targets. So, this is one of the new and emerging weapon systems. It is a massless weapon and the concentration of laser light falls on the target and neutralises it. So this is an achievement for our country and DRDO…”
A Big Step Against Drone Threats
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are being used more and more across the world. They can be used to spy or attack. Because of this, countries need better ways to stop drones. With this laser weapon, India now has a strong tool that works fast and doesn’t need bullets or missiles. This is important because it helps protect India’s skies using its own technology.
DRDO is not stopping at the 30-kilowatt laser. A more powerful system called “Surya” is being developed. This new laser will have 300 kilowatts of power and will be able to stop fast-moving missiles and drones. It is expected to work up to 20 kilometers away. When ready, it will be one of the most powerful laser weapons in the world.
India is also working on other advanced weapons using microwave and electromagnetic energy. These types of weapons are like the ones seen in sci-fi movies such as Star Wars. They are fast, silent, and very strong.
