DRDO’s Mk-II(A) DEW system.
New Delhi: India has achieved a significant milestone in defence technology with the successful trial of the Mk-II(A) laser-directed energy weapon (DEW) system at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) announced on Sunday.
The breakthrough puts India among a select group of nations possessing high-power L-DEW technology, capable of disabling missiles, drones, and smaller projectiles with precision and effectiveness.
The indigenously designed and developed Mk-II(A) DEW system demonstrated its full spectrum of capabilities during the tests, successfully engaging fixed-wing drones at long range, countering multiple drone attacks simultaneously, and destroying enemy surveillance sensors and antennae.
Military experts noted the system’s lightning-speed engagement, precision, and lethality, with targets neutralized within seconds, making it an exceptionally potent counter-drone system for India’s defence forces.
The system was developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad, in collaboration with several other DRDO laboratories including the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), and Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), alongside academic institutions and Indian industry partners.
Once a target is detected by radar or the system’s built-in electro-optic (EO) capabilities, the laser-DEW engages targets at the speed of light, using an intense beam of powerful light to cut through the target. This can cause structural failure or more significant damage if a warhead is directly targeted.
Defence analysts believe this cutting-edge weaponry could revolutionize modern warfare by reducing dependence on expensive conventional ammunition while simultaneously lowering the risk of collateral damage in combat situations.
The rising threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and drone swarms as asymmetric warfare tools has intensified the demand for directed energy weapons with counter-UAS capabilities. Experts predict DEW systems will gradually replace traditional kinetic weapons and missile-defence systems due to their operational simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
“The operational cost of firing this system for a few seconds is equivalent to the cost of a couple of litres of petrol,” explained a senior DRDO scientist involved with the project. “This makes it a compelling long-term and low-cost alternative for target neutralization, especially against low-cost drone attacks that have become increasingly common in modern conflicts.”
