India has joined the ranks of global powers like the United States, Russia, and China by successfully demonstrating advanced laser weapon capabilities. On April 13, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a landmark trial of its homegrown Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The 30-kilowatt system neutralized fixed-wing drones, swarm drones, missiles, and enemy surveillance sensors, marking a major leap in India’s defense technology.
DRDO’s Role
Developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in Hyderabad, with support from other DRDO labs, academic institutions, and Indian industries, the vehicle-mounted Mk-II(A) showcased its versatility. It downed long-range drones, countered multiple drone attacks, and disabled surveillance equipment in seconds, proving its value as a cutting-edge counter-drone and air defense solution.
What Are Laser-Based Weapons?
Laser weapons, a type of directed-energy weapon (DEW), use focused beams of light to destroy or disable targets. Unlike conventional weapons, they strike at the speed of light with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing collateral damage. They can melt drone structures, burn out missile electronics, or fry sensors. However, their performance can be hampered by “thermal blooming,” where fog, dust, smoke, or rain scatters the beam, reducing its effectiveness.
Role in Air Defense
Laser weapons are ideal for countering aerial threats like drones and missiles. Globally, systems like the U.S. Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser, once tested to intercept ballistic missiles, showed their potential. India’s Mk-II(A), effective up to 5 kilometers, offers a low-cost alternative to traditional defenses—each shot costs roughly the price of a few liters of fuel. It’s a game-changer for protecting critical assets from modern threats.
Electrolaser Innovation
An electrolaser creates a laser-induced plasma channel, then sends an electric current through it, like a long-range stun gun. This emerging technology could disable targets non-lethally or destroy electronics, opening new possibilities for defense applications.
Countermeasures
Adversaries, like China, are developing anti-laser coatings using materials such as metals, carbon fiber, and diamonds to reflect or absorb laser energy. These defenses can reduce a laser’s impact, but a different laser wavelength might still penetrate by exploiting gaps in the coating’s spectrum. This ongoing race drives innovation on both sides.
Major Challenges
Laser weapons face a major hurdle: atmospheric interference. At high energy levels, air molecules break down, causing “blooming” that diffuses the beam. Weather conditions like rain, fog, or dust worsen this effect, making reliability in tough environments a priority for future development.
Past Examples
- Project Excalibur (U.S.): A failed attempt to build a nuclear-powered X-ray laser for missile defense.
- Soviet Laser Pistol (1984): A short-lived handheld laser for cosmonauts, abandoned after limited use.
- 1K17 Szhatie (Soviet Union): An experimental laser vehicle that stayed in prototype stage.
- Polyus/Skif-DM (Soviet Union): An orbital laser weapon that failed during launch.
Looking Ahead
India’s Mk-II(A) success paves the way for bigger ambitions. DRDO is developing “Surya,” a 300-kilowatt laser with a 20-kilometer range to tackle missiles. Plans include compact lasers for aircraft and ships, plus high-energy microwave and electromagnetic pulse weapons. These advancements signal India’s rise as a powerhouse in futuristic defense, securing its borders and shaping global military technology.
watch here (video credit DRDO, X post) :https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1911393160044904900
News cover By: [Amiya Pranay N.B Harichandan]
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