In a major milestone for India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested its first high-energy laser weapon system, the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), on April 13, 2025. The test, conducted at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, marks India’s formal entry into an elite group of countries with operational laser weapon technology.
The 30-kilowatt laser system demonstrated its capability to neutralize various airborne threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, drone swarms, and surveillance sensors, with surgical precision at distances of up to five kilometers. This development is not just a technological feat—it could reshape India’s defense strategy across land, sea, air, and space.
The Mk-II(A) laser system represents a culmination of years of research, prototyping, and testing by DRDO scientists and defense engineers. During the test in Kurnool, the system successfully tracked and destroyed multiple drone targets within seconds, using concentrated energy beams to overheat and disable them mid-air. The ability to strike at the speed of light—literally—makes the system unmatched in reaction time.
Unlike traditional defense systems that rely on physical interceptors like missiles or bullets, DEWs use focused beams of energy, such as lasers or microwaves, to inflict damage. The Mk-II(A) operates using a solid-state laser, delivering destructive thermal energy to its target without the need for explosive warheads.
According to a senior DRDO official, “The system proved its capability to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats quickly and cost-effectively. The test confirmed critical parameters of tracking, beam focus, and target destruction, paving the way for battlefield deployment in the near future.”
With this successful test, India joins the ranks of the United States, China, Russia, and Israel—countries that have made significant advancements in laser weaponry. These nations have already deployed or are close to deploying directed energy systems for battlefield, naval, and space-based applications.
India’s inclusion in this small but significant group reflects both its growing technological sophistication and its commitment to building indigenous defense capabilities. The strategic importance of DEWs lies in their potential to counter the rapidly evolving landscape of aerial threats, particularly drone warfare and hypersonic missiles.
Directed Energy Weapons are game changers for several reasons. First, their cost per shot is drastically lower—estimated at just a few dollars per engagement. In contrast, a single interceptor missile can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. This economic advantage becomes even more significant when countering cheap but numerous threats like drone swarms.
Second, DEWs offer effectively unlimited ammunition, restricted only by their power supply. This enables sustained defense without the logistical challenges of reloading physical munitions.
Third, laser weapons minimize collateral damage. Their pinpoint accuracy makes them ideal for use in urban or sensitive environments, where conventional explosives risk unintended destruction.
Finally, their response time is virtually instantaneous. A laser beam travels at the speed of light—around 300,000 kilometers per second—making it an ideal counter to fast-moving targets.
The Mk-II(A) laser system uses a solid-state design with a 30-kilowatt output, powerful enough to engage small aircraft, drones, and sensors. The weapon’s beam control system ensures precision targeting, and adaptive optics help compensate for atmospheric interference, a key challenge in laser operations.
The system was tested in open-air conditions to simulate real-world battlefield environments. Engineers monitored variables such as beam dispersion, thermal distortion, and weather effects, collecting data to improve operational resilience.
DRDO has also confirmed the existence of a parallel project: a 300-kilowatt high-energy laser named “Surya,” currently under development. With an estimated effective range of 20 kilometers, Surya aims to target high-speed missiles and drones, offering defense against next-generation aerial threats.
DRDO plans to induct the Mk-II(A) within two years as a land-based defense system, primarily for border security and critical infrastructure protection. However, future variants will be adapted for use on naval vessels, aircraft, and even satellites.
- Naval Applications:
Integrating DEWs into warships could significantly enhance India’s maritime defense. Laser systems can neutralize sea-skimming missiles, pirate boats, and reconnaissance drones. The Indian Navy is reportedly in discussions with DRDO for ship-based trials in the coming year. - Airborne Defense:
DEWs on fighter jets could provide missile-shielding capabilities, giving pilots a last-resort defense against incoming projectiles. The U.S. Air Force is already pursuing similar goals with its SHiELD project. India could adapt Mk-series lasers into external pods for its Su-30MKI or Tejas aircraft. - Space-based Potential:
Satellites equipped with lasers may offer both defensive and offensive capabilities in space—such as disabling enemy satellites or intercepting anti-satellite weapons. While such systems remain controversial, India’s interest reflects a broader strategy to safeguard space assets critical to communication and reconnaissance.
India’s laser weapons program comes at a time when the nature of threats is shifting dramatically. The increased use of drones, especially by insurgent groups and hostile neighbors, has highlighted vulnerabilities in conventional air defense.
Conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Armenia-Azerbaijan have shown how inexpensive drones can disable tanks, artillery, and radar systems with minimal investment. The ability to counter such threats with a low-cost laser system is an invaluable force multiplier.
For example, the Mk-II(A) system’s ability to neutralize a swarm of drones was one of the highlights of the Kurnool test. These swarm attacks, involving dozens or even hundreds of drones, can overwhelm traditional systems. A laser, with quick retargeting and low operational cost, is a natural countermeasure.
India’s success is part of a wider international arms race focused on directed energy. The U.S. Navy has fielded the 150-kilowatt LaWS system on ships, while Israel’s Iron Beam has been touted as a cost-effective supplement to the Iron Dome. China’s Silent Hunter and Russia’s Peresvet are also in advanced stages of deployment.
What sets India apart is its approach to indigenous innovation. While most countries rely on deep defense-industrial complexes and foreign partnerships, DRDO has spearheaded the laser weapons initiative almost entirely in-house. This not only reduces dependence on foreign suppliers but also offers long-term strategic autonomy.
Despite the recent success, DEWs are not without their limitations. One of the primary challenges is atmospheric interference. Weather conditions—especially fog, rain, and dust—can scatter or absorb laser beams, reducing their effectiveness. DRDO’s beam control systems are designed to address this, but real-world performance in regions like the Himalayas or Thar Desert remains to be seen.
Power supply is another bottleneck. High-energy lasers require vast amounts of electricity, making them hard to scale for mobile or airborne platforms. Miniaturizing power generation without compromising effectiveness will be crucial for broader deployment.
There’s also the issue of durability and countermeasures. Adversaries could begin coating drones or missiles with reflective materials to disperse laser beams. Electronic hardening of guidance systems could blunt microwave-based DEWs. This sets the stage for a new arms race—this time between offensive lasers and defensive materials.
The deployment of DEWs could transform India’s defense budget structure. With low per-shot costs, DEWs can free up funds previously spent on missiles and interceptors. However, the upfront cost remains significant. The development of the Mk-II(A) and Surya lasers required years of funding, testing, and coordination across multiple agencies.
If India can successfully scale production and integrate these systems across military platforms, it stands to gain a strategic edge, particularly in asymmetric and hybrid warfare. Export potential is also strong, especially among countries facing persistent drone threats but lacking the budget for advanced missile systems.
Beyond the battlefield, DEWs could serve in civilian roles—particularly in space debris management. With Earth’s orbit cluttered by defunct satellites and debris, lasers could be used to nudge these objects into safer orbits or incinerate them in the atmosphere.
Another potential application is in disaster response. High-precision lasers could be used to remotely disable explosive devices, control hazardous spills, or cut through debris in rescue operations.
Looking ahead, DEWs will likely form one layer of a multi-tiered defense system that includes missiles, electronic warfare, and cyber capabilities. The integration of AI for autonomous targeting and power management could make future DEWs even more formidable.
DRDO has set an ambitious timeline for the induction of the Mk-II(A) into active service by 2027. The agency is also working on power scaling, platform adaptation, and ruggedization for harsh environments. The Surya laser, with ten times the power of the current system, is expected to be operational within the next five years.
Strategically, this means India could soon deploy DEWs at border posts, naval bases, and even in space. Such capabilities will not only deter adversaries but also position India as a global leader in next-generation defense technology.
India’s successful test of the Mk-II(A) laser weapon marks more than just a technological triumph—it’s a signal to the world that India is ready to lead in the future of warfare. Directed Energy Weapons are no longer confined to science fiction; they are rapidly becoming central to national security strategies.
