India Tests Laser Weapon, Joins Elite Defense League
India has marked a major leap in defense technology by successfully testing a 30-kilowatt laser-based weapon system designed to eliminate aerial threats such as fixed-wing aircraft, missiles, and swarming drones. With this development, India enters an elite group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, that have demonstrated such advanced laser-based capabilities.
The system, developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is now ready for production and deployment. With a current operational range of up to 5 kilometers, the laser weapon is capable of precise targeting and silent engagement, without explosive aftermath. It is engineered to disrupt communication and satellite signals as part of its electronic warfare functions and can be integrated onto both land and naval platforms.
DRDO Directed Energy
DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, while acknowledging the achievement, noted that this is only the beginning of India’s journey into the domain of directed-energy weapons. He praised the collaborative synergy between DRDO labs, academia, and Indian industry that made this progress possible. Future plans include advancing into other high-energy domains, such as high-powered microwave systems and electromagnetic pulse weapons—moving India closer to a full-spectrum “Star Wars”-like defense capability.
The development forms part of a larger push by India to build strategic, indigenous defense systems to counter evolving threats. Directed-energy weapons, especially lasers, are gaining significance globally due to their accuracy, low operational cost, and ability to respond swiftly to fast-moving airborne threats.
Anti-Drone Defense
The operational success of the laser weapon signals a significant boost to India’s anti-drone defense preparedness. Given the increasing use of drones in both surveillance and offensive military roles, having a fast-reacting, low-collateral solution like a laser system can be a game-changer. Its precision targeting and virtually instant neutralization of aerial threats make it ideal for defending sensitive infrastructure and high-value military assets.
With this milestone, India not only enhances its own defensive posture but also positions itself as a key innovator in next-generation warfare technology. The integration of laser weapons into India’s defense arsenal is expected to reshape battlefield dynamics and strengthen the country’s deterrence capability in an increasingly contested global landscape.
