SOURCE: AFI
In a landmark achievement for India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested and showcased a 30-kilowatt (kW) laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) on April 13, 2025, at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. This breakthrough, which demonstrated the weapon’s ability to neutralize aerial threats like fixed-wing drones, swarm drones, and surveillance sensors with pinpoint precision, has propelled India into an elite group of nations mastering advanced laser technology, alongside the United States, China, and Russia.
Developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs, academic institutions, and Indian industries, the Mk-II(A) DEW system showcased its full spectrum of capabilities. The 30 kW laser, comprising six 5 kW lasers converging into a single high-energy beam, engaged targets at a range of up to 5 kilometers, inflicting structural damage and disabling sensors in seconds. Equipped with a 360-degree Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor, the system ensures rapid, silent, and cost-effective neutralization of threats, with operational costs likened to “a couple of liters of petrol” per shot.
“This is just the beginning of the journey,” said DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, emphasizing the synergy between DRDO labs, industry, and academia. Dr. Jagannath Nayak, Director of CHESS, hailed the trial as a “great success,” noting the system’s ability to counter multiple targets, making it a game-changer in modern warfare. The weapon’s versatility allows deployment on ground-based and shipborne platforms, with plans to integrate it into airborne and satellite systems in the future.
DRDO’s ambitions extend far beyond this milestone. The organization has announced plans to develop more powerful laser systems of 50 kW, 100 kW, and an ambitious 300 kW within the next two years. The 300 kW “Surya” DEW, expected by 2027, aims to achieve a 20-kilometer range, capable of neutralizing drones, missiles, and other aerial threats with unmatched precision. These advancements align with projects like the Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array (DURGA II), a 100 kW lightweight DEW, signaling India’s commitment to staying at the forefront of next-generation defense technologies.
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