DRDO to Transfer Mk-IIA 30kW Laser Weapon Tech to Private Sector
In a major boost to India’s indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has decided to transfer its Mk-IIA 30kW laser directed energy weapon (DEW) technology to the private sector. This move comes as the Indian Army shows increasing operational interest in deploying laser-based weapons to counter modern aerial threats, including drones and loitering munitions.
Advancing Directed Energy Capabilities
The Mk-IIA is part of a series of laser-based directed energy weapons developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS). It is a 30-kilowatt-class solid-state laser system capable of neutralizing aerial threats at short-to-medium ranges using focused energy beams instead of traditional projectiles.
The weapon system offers several operational advantages:
- Speed-of-light engagement with zero time-of-flight
- High precision with minimal collateral damage
- Low per-shot cost, as it requires only power instead of ammunition
These attributes make it ideal for anti-drone defense, tactical perimeter protection, and future battlefield roles requiring scalable precision engagement.
Technology Transfer to Private Industry
In line with India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, DRDO is opening the doors for private sector participation in scaling up the production and deployment of the Mk-IIA laser system. The technology transfer is expected to be offered through an Expression of Interest (EoI) mechanism to eligible Indian defense manufacturers.
Private companies will be required to demonstrate the ability to absorb the technology, manufacture critical subsystems, and support long-term integration for field deployment by the armed forces.
This move is intended to reduce production bottlenecks, accelerate the rollout of laser weapons, and establish a domestic industrial base for emerging weapon technologies.
Strategic Implications for the Indian Armed Forces
The decision to transfer laser DEW technology to private firms reflects a growing recognition of non-kinetic warfare systems as the next frontier of defense modernization. The Indian Army, in particular, has shown keen interest in deployable, vehicle-mounted laser systems to counter drone swarms and low-altitude incursions along sensitive borders.
With increasing reports of drone activity along both the western and northern frontiers, the deployment of systems like Mk-IIA could be a game-changer in real-time threat neutralization.
Additionally, the DRDO’s roadmap includes plans to scale up laser power capacities in future variants, with 100kW-class systems under conceptualization for long-range applications.
Future of Public-Private Defence Collaboration
The successful transition of this cutting-edge laser technology to the private sector could lay the groundwork for a sustainable directed energy weapons ecosystem in India. It also signals DRDO’s evolving role—from a sole developer to a technology enabler and production facilitator, fostering deeper partnerships between the government and industry.
Such collaborations are vital to ensure India remains strategically autonomous and technologically competitive in an era where modern warfare is rapidly shifting toward precision, speed, and low-visibility engagements.
