The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £316 million contract to MBDA UK to deliver DragonFire laser weapons to the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, with the first systems expected to enter service in 2027. The agreement follows recent trials at the Hebrides range in Scotland, where the laser brought down drones travelling at speeds of up to 650 km/h, according to the MoD.

New capability for the Type 45 fleet

The DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) is intended to give the Royal Navy a low-cost, precision option for countering drones and other aerial threats. While most technical details remain classified, the system is reportedly accurate enough to hit a £1 coin at a distance of one kilometre and can be fired for less than £10 per shot.

The Navy currently relies on Sea Viper missiles, costing around £1 million each, to destroy low-cost drones operated by Houthi forces in the Red Sea. The introduction of a laser system is expected to ease the strain on missile stockpiles and reduce operational costs.

Industry roles and development

The DragonFire programme is overseen by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and delivered through a partnership involving MBDA UK, Leonardo UK and QinetiQ.

  • MBDA UK, the prime contractor, is responsible for integration and delivery of the weapon system, including command-and-control and image-processing components.
  • Leonardo UK is providing the turret-mounted beam director, designed for precision tracking at varying ranges and in challenging weather.
  • QinetiQ is developing the 50 kW laser at the core of the system.

Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said the contract marks “another significant milestone” and reflects the UK’s intent to lead in laser directed-energy weapons.

The programme supports around 590 jobs nationwide, including 200 in Scotland, 185 in South West England and 75 in the East of England. According to the MoD, the investment contributes to the Government’s Plan for Change by reinforcing the UK defence industrial base.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, said the contract demonstrates the government’s commitment to backing domestic industry while expanding the armed forces’ capabilities:

“We are delivering on our Strategic Defence Review by backing British industry and creating hundreds more jobs, making defence an engine for growth across the UK.”

The MoD plans further testing and integration over the next two years as the Royal Navy prepares to field its first operational laser weapon system.

CONTENU CONNEXE : AV directed-energy VP on laser-based counter-drone tech

Post Image Credit: UK MoD

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