On April 13, 2025, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced 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.
- With this achievement, India joins an exclusive group of nations—the US, China, and Russia—that possess high-power laser DEW capabilities.
- Developed by CHESS (Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs, academic institutions, and Indian industries, this advanced system is designed to disable missiles, drones, and small projectiles.
Key features of the system:
- Engages targets at the speed of light
- Destroys fixed-wing drones, sensors, and antennae
- Capable of countering multiple threats simultaneously
- Reduces dependence on expensive ammunition
- Minimizes collateral damage
Laser-DEWs are gaining global traction as cost-effective solutions to counter low-cost aerial threats, especially drone swarms, marking a significant shift in modern warfare tactics.
