India has reported it has successfully conducted its first trial of a high-powered laser weapon, designated MK-II(A), designed to neutralize aerial targets using directed energy.
The test, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), involved the system tracking the drone mid-flight, locking onto the target, and deploying a high-energy laser beam to destroy it. This trial of the new Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) was carried out at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, and showcases India’s commitment to developing indigenous defense solutions.
The MK-II(A) was created by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in Hyderabad, with collaborative input from various DRDO laboratories, including LRDE, IRDE, DLRL, and contributions from Indian academic institutions and private industry partners.
In a statement on X, the DRDO celebrated the milestone, noting, “CHESS DRDO conducted a successful field demonstration of the Land version of Vehicle-mounted Laser Directed Weapon (DEW) MK-II(A) at Kurnool today. It effectively engaged a fixed-wing UAV and swarm drones, resulting in structural damage and disabling their surveillance sensors. With this successful trial, the country joins an exclusive group of global powers equipped with high-power Laser DEW systems.”
Speaking to news agency ANI, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat highlighted the importance of this achievement, stating that only a select few nations – including the United States, Russia, and China – currently possess such capabilities. He mentioned that Israel is also pursuing similar technologies, positioning India as the fourth or fifth country in the world to demonstrate this advanced system.
Kamat emphasized that this accomplishment is merely the beginning of a broader initiative, as DRDO continues to develop a range of high-energy weapon systems.
“This is just the beginning of the journey… We are also working on other high-energy systems like high-energy microwaves and electromagnetic pulse technologies. What you saw today is one component of the ‘Star Wars’ capabilities we aim to achieve,” he stated.
Post Image Credit: DRDO.
