SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India is on the cusp of a significant technological breakthrough with its 10kW trailer-mounted Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system, which is nearing the completion of its developmental trials. This cutting-edge system, designed to provide tactical flexibility and rapid deployment in field conditions, represents a major leap in India’s defense capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The DRDO has successfully validated most of the system’s performance parameters in real-world scenarios, marking a pivotal step toward its operational deployment.
The 10kW trailer-mounted DEW is a high-energy laser system designed to neutralize a range of aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and low-flying targets such as missiles and rockets. Unlike traditional kinetic weapons, directed energy weapons use focused electromagnetic energy—lasers or microwaves—to deliver precise, instantaneous effects with minimal collateral damage. The system’s ability to engage targets at the speed of light, coupled with its cost-effectiveness per shot compared to conventional munitions, positions it as a transformative asset for the Indian Armed Forces.
Mounted on a mobile trailer platform, the DEW system offers unparalleled tactical flexibility. The trailer-based design enables rapid deployment and repositioning across diverse terrains, making it ideal for dynamic battlefield scenarios. This mobility ensures that the system can be integrated into forward-operating bases, border outposts, or critical infrastructure protection roles, providing a versatile defense against emerging threats like drone swarms and low-cost UAVs, which have become prevalent in modern warfare.
Developmental Trials and Performance Validation
The DRDO’s 10kW DEW has undergone rigorous testing to validate its performance parameters under real-world conditions. According to sources within the DRDO, the system has demonstrated its ability to detect, track, and neutralize targets with high precision during field trials conducted in 2024 and early 2025. These trials, carried out in collaboration with the Indian Army and Air Force, tested the system’s effectiveness against various aerial targets, including small drones and simulated missile threats, at ranges up to several kilometers.
Key performance parameters validated include:
- Target Acquisition and Tracking: The DEW’s advanced electro-optical sensors and fire-control systems have successfully tracked fast-moving aerial targets, even in challenging environmental conditions such as dust, fog, and rain.
- Energy Delivery and Precision: The 10kW laser has demonstrated the ability to deliver concentrated energy to disable or destroy targets, with minimal latency and high accuracy.
- Thermal Management: The system’s cooling mechanisms have been optimized to maintain operational efficiency during sustained engagements, addressing a critical challenge in high-energy laser systems.
- Mobility and Deployment: The trailer-mounted platform has proven its ability to be rapidly deployed, set up, and relocated, ensuring operational readiness in time-sensitive scenarios.
The development of the 10kW DEW aligns with India’s strategic need to counter evolving threats, particularly from adversaries leveraging low-cost, commercially available drones for reconnaissance and attacks. Recent conflicts, including the 2025 India-Pakistan standoff, have underscored the growing role of UAVs, such as Pakistan’s Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones, in modern warfare. The DEW’s ability to neutralize such threats offers a cost-effective and scalable solution compared to traditional missile-based air defense systems.
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