Image Courtesy: DRDO
India achieved a significant milestone in its directed energy weapons programme with the successful demonstration of a 30KW laser weapon. This high-powered laser, developed under the Sahastra Shakti programme, can neutralise drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and static targets at a range of 4 km.
A successful demonstration of this first high-powered laser weapon—a 30KW laser beam capable of neutralising drones, UAVs, and static targets was conducted at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool on 13 April.
The foundation for laser-based defence began with a 2012 research paper advocating indigenous development. The programme took shape under DRDO, initially through LASTEC and later through the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) lab in Hyderabad. Under the codename Sahastra Shakti, the aim was clear: create weapons to disable enemy drones, optics, and electronic systems.
India has successfully tested a futuristic weapon for the first time by using high-powered laser-based directed energy to shoot down a drone.
The system made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tracked the drone, fired a laser beam and destroyed the target.
This platform is a game-changer for India’s armed forces as drone warfare is increasingly being used in modern combat, such as the war in Ukraine.
“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 defeated the fixed wing UAV and Swarm Drones successfully, causing structural damage and disabled the surveillance sensors. With this successful trial, the country has joined the exclusive club of the global powers that possess the high power Laser DEW System,” the DRDO said in a post on X.
The success puts India in the exclusive group of nations with high-power Laser-DEW.
Once detected by a radar or by its inbuilt electro optic (EO) system, the laser-DEW can engage targets at the speed of light and use an intense beam of powerful light (laser beam) to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted.
This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionise the battlespace by reducing reliance on expensive ammunition while also lowering the risk of collateral damage.
The proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and the emergence of drone swarms as asymmetric threats are driving the demand for directed energy weapons with counter-UAS and counter-swarm capabilities.
MASTERING LASER-DEW TECHNOLOGY
Mastering the technology of disabling missiles, drones and smaller projectiles with Laser-DEW has long been the holy grail of air defense. The DEW will soon be replacing traditional kinetic weapons and missile defence systems due to its ease of operation and cost effectiveness. The proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and the emergence of drone swarms as asymmetric threats are driving the demand for directed energy weapons with counter-UAS and counter-swarm capabilities. The extent of havoc that can be caused by UAVs and drones is visible in all the recent conflicts like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Armenia-Azerbaijan conflicts or Houthis’ attack on US naval fleets where relatively weaker state and non-state players are accruing disproportionate gains against their stronger adversaries.
Once detected by a radar followed by tracking through Electro Optic (EO) system, Laser-DEW can engage targets at the speed of light and use an intense beam of powerful Laser Beam to neutralise the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results. This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionise the battle space by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition, while also lowering the risk of collateral damage. The requirement for cost-effective defence solutions to offset the low-cost drone attacks amidst constrained defence budget is driving the adoption of DEWs by military organisations worldwide.
Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Prototype of Mk-II(A) DEW system is the result of a prolonged development research of DRDO in the field of DEW at CHESS, Hyderabad, along with Electronics Research and Development Establishment (LRDE), Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) and Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ) in harnessing the high power of Laser Directed Energy into a potent weapon.
Indigenously designed and developed Mk-II(A) DEW system has demonstrated its entire spectrum of capability by engaging the fixed wing drones at long range, thwarting a multiple drone attack, and destroying enemy surveillance sensors and antennae. The lightning speed of engagement, the precision and the lethality delivered at the target within a few seconds made it the most potent Counter Drone System. The cost of firing it for a few seconds is equivalent to the cost of a couple of litres of petrol. Therefore, it has the potential to be a long-term and low-cost alternative to defeat the target what guided missiles currently do.
A STEP TOWARDS ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
All the three armed services—the Army, Air force and Navy—are already using the earlier version of DEW Mk-I as part of their Air Defense capabilities (D4). This milestone achieved has demonstrated the ability to engage aerial targets at a very long range and, therefore, it will be a major step in Atmanirbhar Bharat. The inclusion of DEW Mk-II(A) in the services will boost their layered air defense capability. This landmark achievement will also act as the cornerstone for all the future development of high-power DEWs.
The DEW trial at the NOAR, Kurnool, is a testimony of Atmanirbhar Bharat as it has been developed by the R&D and production ecosystem of all stakeholders. The critical subsystems along with components are designed and developed indigenously by CHESS, DRDO’s sister labs and academic institutions along with Indian industries. The system design and integration along with cutting-edge niche technology of high-power laser beam directed to an aerial target with micro radian accuracy was developed and mastered by CHESS, DRDO. Today’s success has announced India’s arrival in the exclusive and limited club of the Global Powers that possess the high-power Laser-DEW.
