In a major breakthrough, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted trials of the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool. With this successful demonstration, India has entered an exclusive group of nations equipped with high-power laser-based weaponry capable of neutralizing aerial threats.
The indigenously developed Mk-II(A) system showcased its full range of capabilities by targeting and destroying fixed-wing drones at long distances, repelling multiple drone swarm attacks, and disabling enemy surveillance sensors and antennae with remarkable speed and accuracy.
Designed and developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs—LRDE, IRDE, DLRL—as well as academic institutions and Indian industry partners, the DEW system represents a significant leap in India’s counter-drone and directed energy capabilities.
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 disable the surveillance sensors. With… pic.twitter.com/U1jaIurZco
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) April 13, 2025
What sets the system apart is its ability to engage targets at the speed of light, using a high-energy laser beam to inflict structural failure or critical damage, especially if a warhead is precisely targeted. Once a threat is detected either by radar or the onboard Electro-Optic (EO) system, the DEW can respond within seconds—offering a precise, silent, and cost-effective neutralization of threats.
DRDO officials noted that the cost of operating the laser system for a few seconds is roughly equivalent to the cost of just a couple of litres of petrol, making it an economically sustainable alternative to traditional ammunition and missile-based defences.
The successful test comes at a time when the proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and the emergence of low-cost drone swarms are increasingly challenging traditional defence systems. Directed Energy Weapons are being seen globally as the next frontier in defence technology due to their scalability, precision, and cost-effectiveness.
The Mk-II(A) DEW system’s success not only enhances India’s defence posture but also signals a transformative shift in the country’s approach to modern warfare.
Team BharatShakti
