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India, on Sunday, joined a select group of technologically advanced nations by successfully demonstrating its indigenously developed 30-kilowatt directed energy weapon (DEW), the Laser-DEW Mark-II(A).
The high-powered laser weapon system was tested at the national open-air range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, where it showcased its ability to disable fixed-wing drones, swarm UAVs, and surveillance sensors at a range of up to 3.5 km.
A Leap In Defense Capabilities
The test marks a significant leap in India’s defense capabilities.
DRDO designed the Laser-DEW Mark-II(A) as a vehicle-based integrated drone detection and interdiction system (IDD&IS).
This advanced system enables the precision targeting of airborne threats using energy beams instead of costly missiles or ammunition.
“It is a very powerful and reusable weapon for ‘beam kills’ instead of ‘kinetic kills’. With low cost per kill, it’s more economical, especially during prolonged conflicts,” said Dr B K Das, Director-General (Electronics and Communication Systems), DRDO.
Destroying Drone Swarms & Sensors
During the demonstration, the system successfully disabled a small fixed-wing aircraft and a swarm of seven drones.
It also blinded surveillance cameras and sensors mounted on drones and on the ground, proving its versatility against a range of low-cost threats.
This test is a follow-up to previous developments of 2-kilowatt and 10-kilowatt laser systems with kill ranges of 1–2 km. The Mark-II(A)’s extended range and high power represent a significant evolution of the DEW program.
Towards Production & Deployment
DRDO is planning user trials of the 30-kilowatt system within the next 12 to 18 months, after which the technology will be transferred to Indian defense manufacturers for large-scale production.
The armed forces have already inducted 23 systems with lower-powered lasers, indicating a readiness to adopt and scale newer variants.
India’s development places it alongside countries like the US, Russia, China, UK, and Israel, all of which are investing heavily in laser-based defense systems.
The US has already deployed HELIOS, while Israel is close to deploying the Iron Beam with a 10-km range.
DRDO is also working on more advanced DEWs with power levels of 50 to 100 kilowatts and high-energy microwave weapons as part of a broader roadmap.
Despite challenges such as limited kill ranges and weather sensitivity, DEWs offer a long-term, low-cost alternative for dealing with drone and missile threats.
As one DRDO scientist noted, “Advancements in beam-steering and adaptive optics will soon allow greater range, precision, and operational reliability, making DEWs a staple of future warfare.”
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