India has successfully tested its first-ever high-powered laser weapon, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), to shoot down a drone swarm, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense capabilities. This new weapon, which utilizes directed energy to defeat aerial targets, is set to revolutionize modern combat, especially as drone warfare continues to evolve.
The DRDO’s advanced weapon system, a laser-directed energy weapon (DEW) Mk-II(A), was tested at Kurnool, where it successfully destroyed fixed-wing drones and a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The laser beam tracked and eliminated the drones, causing structural damage and disabling the surveillance sensors onboard. This successful trial has placed India among the exclusive nations with a high-power laser-directed energy weapon system.
India Joins Global Powers in Laser DEW Capability
According to DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat, India is now part of an exclusive club of countries possessing high-power laser DEW systems. “The United States, Russia, and China have demonstrated similar capabilities, with Israel working on its own. India is now the fourth or fifth country in the world to achieve this milestone,” Kamat said in an interview.
The laser system’s ability to engage targets with lightning speed and pinpoint accuracy in mere seconds makes it a formidable countermeasure against drone attacks. It has the potential to transform the battlefield by reducing the reliance on traditional munitions, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to missile defense systems.
A Game-Changer in Counter-Drone Warfare
The DRDO’s successful demonstration of the Mk-II(A) system is just the beginning of a larger effort to develop advanced technologies that could soon enable “Star Wars”-like capabilities. Kamat emphasized that the DRDO is working on a range of high-energy technologies, including high-energy microwaves and electromagnetic pulses, which could further enhance India’s defense capabilities in the future.
The new system was developed by the DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in collaboration with various DRDO labs, Indian industries, and academic institutions. The laser-DEW can detect targets using radar or its built-in electro-optical system and engage them with intense laser beams. These beams are capable of cutting through the target, resulting in structural failure or even destroying critical components like warheads and sensors.
Reducing Costs and Collateral Damage
One of the key advantages of this directed energy weapon is its cost-effectiveness. The proliferation of drones, particularly in the form of swarms, poses a significant challenge to traditional defense systems, which rely on expensive munitions to counter such threats. The laser-DEW system provides an innovative and cheaper alternative, significantly reducing the costs associated with traditional kinetic weapons while also minimizing the risk of collateral damage.
The success of this trial comes at a time when the global military community is increasingly focused on developing counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) and counter-swarm capabilities. Drone swarms, capable of overwhelming traditional defenses, have emerged as a major asymmetric threat, and the DRDO’s laser-DEW technology positions India as a leader in countering this emerging threat.
Future Prospects and Strategic Impact
The DRDO’s advancements in directed energy weapons highlight India’s growing prowess in cutting-edge defense technology. The Mk-II(A) system’s potential to counter drone swarms with precision and speed underscores its strategic importance for India’s defense forces. Moreover, the laser-based weapon aligns with the global shift towards directed energy systems as a cost-effective and sustainable means of addressing modern warfare challenges.
As India continues to make strides in high-tech defense systems, the country’s participation in the “Star Wars”-like space of laser weaponry places it on the map as one of the leading nations in military innovation, ready to take on the challenges posed by the evolving landscape of modern warfare.
Sources By Agencies