NEWS – India Test-Fires Laser-Directed Energy Weapon System

HIGHLIGHTS

Successful Field Demonstration by DRDO

• Organisation Involved: Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences (CHESS), a laboratory under DRDO.
• Location of Trial: Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
• Weapon Tested: Land version of the Vehicle-mounted Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) MK-II (A).
• Outcome:
  • Successfully engaged and destroyed fixed-wing UAVs and swarm drones.
  • Caused structural damage and disabled surveillance sensors on targets.

India Joins a Select Group of Global Powers

• Global Context:
  • Only a few countries possess such high-power DEW systems.
  • Nations with similar capabilities include:
    • United States
    • China
    • Russia
• Significance for India:
  • Entry into an exclusive group of advanced military powers.
  • Showcases indigenous defence technology capabilities.

Capabilities of the Laser DEW System

• Speed & Precision:
  • Engages targets at the speed of light.
  • Uses a powerful laser beam to cut through targets with pinpoint accuracy.
• Target Detection:
  • Identifies targets through radar or inbuilt electro-optic (EO) system.
• Damage Potential:
  • Capable of causing structural failure in UAVs and drones.
  • Can neutralize warheads for more destructive impact.

 Strategic Defence Focus

• Government Priority Areas:
  • Accelerated development of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs).
  • Focus on hypersonic weapons for future warfare readiness.
• Objective:
  Enhance India’s defence capabilities against evolving security threats.