Laser Weapons use focused energy to damage or destroy targets. They are non-kinetic and offer great advantages over kinetic weapons in speed, precision and construction. 

DRDO’s Technological Breakthrough

India has achieved a significant milestone in its directed energy weapons programme, successfully demonstrating a 30 kw laser weapon MK-II(A) using six 5 KW beams. This high-powered laser, developed under the Sahastra Shakti – Directed Energy Programme, can neutralise drones, UAVs, and static targets within a range of 4-5 km radius. The lightning speed of engagement, the precision and the lethality delivered at the target within a few seconds have made it the most potent cost-effective counter-drone system. India now joins the elite DEW club of nations, including the United States, China, Israel and Russia that possess this capability.

India’s DEW Strides

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 CHESS lab in Hyderabad. Under Project Sahastra Shakti, the aim was clear: Creating weapons to disable enemy drones, optics, and electronic systems. Mounted on mobile 4×4 vehicles, the system comprises a Command and Control (C2) unit with electro-optical targeting and tracking capabilities, and a Beam Control Unit that directs the powerful laser beam towards targets. This configuration allows for rapid deployment and precise engagement of aerial threats. The 30 kw high-powered laser successfully trialled will further lead to the development of 50-100 KW weapons to counter cruise missiles, jets and even artillery shells. It would be fitted on miniaturised pods for all three services and later even take the shape of space-based lasers – Star Wars style.

Besides the above, the other programmes are the Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array (DURGA-II), a DRDO-led project aimed at developing mobile laser weapons for the Army and Air Force, and the Kilo Ampere Linear Injector (KALI), which is a particle beam accelerator capable of emitting high-energy pulses that can disable the electronics of incoming weapons.

Understanding Directed-Energy Weapons (DEWs)

DEW systems use high-power concentrated beams such as lasers, microwaves, or particle beams to neutralise targets. A typical system has a power source or a generator, a beam director turret, a tracking radar and a cooling system. Unlike conventional weapons, DEWs operate at the speed of light, offering instantaneous engagement with targets. They provide several advantages:

• High Precision: DEWs can target specific weak spots of enemy systems, motors, electronics, or wings, minimising collateral damage or debris.
• High Speed of Engagement: They travel at the speed of light and instantly hit the target in real-time with no flight time delays.
• Low Cost-High Effect: A single laser engagement is the cost of electricity and thus the advantage of low cost-high effect as compared to missiles or ABM systems. Further, it is ideal for counter-swarm applications with multiple firing, as long as it has power and does not heat up.
• Logistical Ease: DEWs reduce the logistical challenges of transporting and storing ammunition. Unlike conventional ammunition, lasers have no mass.
• Versatility: They can be scaled for various platforms, from handheld devices to ship-mounted systems.
• Stealth Technology: DEW weapons like Lasers do not create a sound or explosion, thus ensuring stealth and survivability against counter systems.

Under Project Sahastra Shakti, the aim was clear: Creating weapons to disable enemy drones, optics, and electronic systems. Mounted on mobile 4×4 vehicles, the system comprises a Command and Control (C2) unit with electro-optical targeting and tracking capabilities, and a Beam Control Unit that directs the powerful laser beam towards targets.

Global Landscape of Directed-Energy Weapons

The demand for DEWs is surging, and the US leads in the development of DEWs globally with a market share of 41.6%, followed by China and Russia. The increase in investment in DEWs is expected to continue globally over the next decade.

The US Navy has integrated its LAWS system as a 30 KW solid-state laser onto the USS Pounce. The laser device can incapacitate unmanned aerial vehicles while removing boat propulsion systems, along with the capability to detonate IEDs remotely. The HELIOS stands out as a weapons system because it delivers 300 kilowatts of power to intercept drones and fast-attack boats as well as missiles. The US Air Force operates concurrently with the development of THOR as a microwave-based drone-disabling platform.

The Bullet Curtain represents China’s cutting-edge anti-drone system, which it has disclosed to the public. The ‘plane-to-point’ interception approach of this defence system creates a projectile barrier against flying drones at low altitudes. The Chinese are also developing a high-powered microwave weapon which can disable/dazzle satellites as advanced directed-energy weapons.

The US Navy has integrated its LAWS system as a 30 KW solid-state laser onto the USS Pounce. The laser device can incapacitate unmanned aerial vehicles while removing boat propulsion systems along with the capability to detonate IEDs remotely. The HELIOS delivers 300 kilowatts of power to intercept drones, and fast-attack boats as well as missiles.

Russia operates the Peresvet laser weapon system, which can serve as an anti-satellite weapon besides C-UAS. The autonomous Peresvet system disables enemy reconnaissance satellites with its strong laser beam emissions. The laser defence system targets satellites from 200 to 1,100 kilometres altitude through 360 degrees of azimuth coverage. The Russian military has also enhanced its Pantsir air defence system with laser technology. Recently, Russia showcased a laser rifle designed to counter small drones, specifically first-person view [FPV] models, at a defence conference near St Petersburg.

The Iron Beam project of Israel is DEW-based on a laser beam. It is made to complement the world-famous Iron Dome system, which has proved its effectiveness several times and has created a kind of sphere over Israel, preventing the intrusion of any unintended object. With a range of up to 7 kilometres, it complements the Iron Dome system and is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

The UK’s Dragon Fire and South Korea’s laser-based weapon called Block-I are in the development stage and yet to be operationalised.

The Strategic Implications for Indian Defence Forces

Future wars will see the proliferation of autonomous UAS, where mass with speed and precision will saturate the battlespace. Laser weapons remain a viable counter to neutralise these threats with minimal collateral damage and low-cost firing. These weapons could be deployed along the LAC and LC to target the enemy’s UAS or swarm with precision and effect. Besides offensive tasks, these lasers could also be used for the defensive task of protecting critical infrastructure and installations. They can be integrated into the multi-layered / multi-tiered AD system for all three services or an integrated theatre command architecture.

 DEWs: Challenges and Limitations

The key challenge remains the high power sustained requirement. Thus, energy storage, distribution and generators must be integrated into static or mobile systems. Also, these weapons produce high heat and require powerful cooling systems, periodically shutting down due to temperature conditions. Thermal signatures can also pose a challenge to survivability. Like all weapon systems, they can be impacted in their capability by weather and terrain, particularly mountains, by atmospheric absorption, scattering, and turbulence. DEWs also require a clear line of sight to the target, limiting their operational flexibility from attacking over-the-horizon targets. Further, while the cost per shot is low, the development and integration costs and repairs remain challenging.

The demand for DEWs is surging and the investment in such weapons is likely to increase globally over the next decade. But DEWs need to be made more mobile, reliable, and affordable. DEWs should be layered alongside other air and missile defence systems in an integrated joint service architecture for all aerial threats at varying altitudes, speeds, and ranges.

DEWs need to be made more mobile, reliable, and affordable that make a mature military capability, including infrastructure, logistics, doctrine, and training. DEWs should be layered alongside other air and missile defence systems in an integrated joint service architecture for all aerial threats, at varying altitudes, speeds, and ranges.

Future Growth of DEW Capabilities

The integration of AI and ML into DEW systems will enhance their performance, making them more attractive to defence organisations. DEW-like lasers are also evolving with greater power and longer range capability against a variety of aerial targets, including in the ASAT role. Their application could also be to protect vital assets and infrastructure from UAS terror attacks.

DRDO is accordingly developing more advanced autonomous laser weapons with a longer range and greater power to target a variety of aerial threats. These systems will be deployed on static and mobile platforms along the border and heartland assets for rapid response capabilities. However, several challenges remain to DEW development and capabilities that need to be navigated for their induction as a mature capability in the Indian operational context.

Title image courtesy: Lockheed Martin

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of India and Defence Research and Studies

Article Courtesy: Raksha Anirveda