As part of a series of tests conducted on April 13, India successfully demonstrated the capabilities of its new laser defense system against drones, known as the Laser Directed Weapon (DEW) MK-II(A). According to local sources, the tests took place at the Kurnool National Firing Range in the Andhra Pradesh region and were overseen by personnel from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which is responsible for the system’s development.
The weapon in question is reportedly capable of generating a 30-kilowatt laser beam, making it effective against both fixed-wing drones and drone swarms. While the exact operational range has not been officially disclosed, local media claim that the DEW MK-II has the ability to accurately neutralize targets up to 5 kilometers away, with full 360-degree coverage.
Providing further insight, Dr. BK Das, Director General (Electronics and Communication Systems) at DRDO, stated: “It is a very powerful and reusable weapon that neutralizes threats using directed beams rather than traditional kinetic solutions, which rely on expensive missiles and ammunition. With a low cost per engagement, it is far more economical to deploy, especially in the kinds of conflicts we are seeing today. This is the technology of the future.”
Looking ahead, DRDO plans to continue developing the system, aiming to obtain approval for its ground-based variant within the next two years. Additionally, the organization has expressed interest in developing lighter and more compact variants, which could potentially be integrated into naval and aerial platforms—expanding the range of scenarios in which the DEW MK-II(A) could be employed.
It is worth noting that India’s efforts are not limited to the DEW MK-II(A). The country is also developing two other types of laser-based air defense systems. One of them is the “Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System” (IDD&IS), introduced in 2024, which features a 2-kilowatt laser and an effective range of 1 to 2 kilometers. Another is the significantly more powerful “Surya” system, which reportedly boasts a 20-kilometer range and up to 300 kilowatts of power.
Finally, it is worth noting that with these developments, India is getting closer to joining the small group of countries that possess laser defense systems in advanced stages of development. Among the most well-known examples to date are the U.S. HELIOS system, designed by Lockheed Martin and tested during the summer aboard the destroyer USS Preble (DDG-88). Israel, for its part, developed the Iron Beam system in collaboration with Elbit Systems, testing its effectiveness in the Gaza Strip prior to a subsequent $200 million procurement. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is progressing with the integration of its DragonFire platform into Royal Navy destroyers, while MBDA and Rheinmetall are developing their LWD system, which has already been tested aboard the F124 frigate Sachsen, among other cases.
Image credits: DRDO
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