India’s DRDO has developed a laser-based Direct Energy Weapon (DEW) that can destroy drones within seconds. Here’s everything you need to know.
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From Sci-Fi to Reality – India’s Own Laser Weapon System is Here
The world is changing, and so are the wars we fight. In recent times, especially during conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war or the ongoing Israel-Gaza tensions, a new weapon has quietly risen in importance — the drone. These tiny, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are changing the game. They fly without pilots, cost very little, and can cause heavy damage if not stopped. But here’s the twist: killing a drone often costs more than sending it. Imagine using missiles worth lakhs or crores to shoot down a drone that costs only a few thousand rupees! This is where India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) steps in with a powerful solution — laser-based Direct Energy Weapons (DEWs).
This blog will walk you through what these weapons are, how they work, how India compares to global powers like the US, China, and Israel, and what this means for our national defense. If you’ve ever been fascinated by sci-fi battles or are simply curious about India’s growing defense capabilities, keep reading.
Understanding the Drone Threat: Why DEWs Are the Future
Small Drones, Big Problems
Drones today are not just cameras in the sky. They are weapons. They drop explosives, carry surveillance tools, and often go undetected due to their small size. This makes them dangerous, especially when they swarm or enter deep into enemy territory.
Russia has faced this recently. Ukrainian forces have used small drones to fly deep into Russian zones. To shoot them down, Russia had to use costly missile systems — a bad trade-off in terms of both economics and resources.
This led to a global realization: modern warfare needs cheaper, faster, and more intelligent defense systems. Enter DEWs — a new class of weapons that use focused energy (like lasers) instead of traditional bullets or explosives.
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What is a Direct Energy Weapon (DEW)?
Simple Explanation for Every Indian
A Direct Energy Weapon (DEW) doesn’t fire bullets or missiles. Instead, it sends high-energy laser beams that instantly disable or destroy a target. Think of it like using a magnifying glass to burn paper using sunlight — only here, the energy is much more powerful and focused.
With the right kind of laser, DEWs can:
- Burn through a drone’s electronics
- Disable a missile mid-air
- Even change the direction of flying aircraft
The biggest advantage?
👉 No explosive needed. No ammunition to refill. Just energy.
And unlike in movies where you see a glowing beam traveling through space, most real-life laser weapons use invisible light, often beyond the visible spectrum.
DRDO’s Big Leap: India Joins the Elite Club
The Development of India’s Laser-Based Weapon
DRDO has successfully tested its laser-based DEW, known in initial stages as MK-2. This powerful system can burn down enemy drones in just a few seconds.
Here are key facts:
- Power Output: 30 kilowatts (currently)
- Range: Up to 5 kilometers
- Test Location: National Open Air Range, Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh)
- Test Success: Drone destroyed within seconds of laser contact
- Operating Cost: Less than ₹200 per shot (equivalent to ~2 litres of petrol)
This test puts India in a very elite group of countries, alongside the US, Russia, China, and Israel, who possess such advanced systems.
How Does It Work?
Simple Tech, Big Impact
You might have seen tiny red laser pointers used in classrooms. Imagine that, but a million times more powerful. DRDO’s laser is mounted on a vehicle (currently a truck), and it does three things:
- Detects the incoming drone
- Tracks and targets it
- Fires the laser and destroys it mid-air
DRDO uses high-energy lasers that generate enough heat to burn internal drone circuits or even melt its wings.
And yes, just like you may have played with mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a wall as a kid, this is similar in principle — only this time, it’s about defending a nation.
Why Lasers Are Cheaper and Better
Cost and Efficiency
Missiles are expensive. Each time you fire one, you’re literally burning lakhs of rupees. Compare that to a laser beam, which costs as little as ₹200 worth of electricity.
Some other advantages:
- No ammunition logistics
- Instant hit (speed of light)
- Unlimited shots (as long as energy is available)
- Silent and invisible
- Ideal for close-range defense
That’s why laser weapons are not just futuristic; they are economical and sustainable.
Limitations of Laser Weapons
It’s Not All Perfect Yet
As powerful as they are, laser weapons do have limitations:
- Range Problem: The farther the laser travels, the weaker it gets. Just like torchlight fades at a distance, laser energy too gets diffused over long ranges.
- Weather Dependence: High-energy lasers can be affected by dust, fog, rain, and even clouds.
- Power Source: To fire powerful lasers, you need a strong and stable energy supply, which can be challenging in mobile or remote setups.
Currently, India’s MK-2 laser system is effective up to 5 km. For comparison, the US has systems that go up to 7 km, and China claims between 5–10 km, though these figures are often unverified.
The Global Race: Who Else Has DEWs?
Global Competitors in the Laser Weapon Arena
India now stands alongside a few powerful nations:
- USA: Their HELIOS system can generate 120 kilowatts and has been used to scare off Iranian drones.
- Israel: Famous for the Iron Dome, Israel has now built Iron Beam, a laser-based system used during recent Lebanon attacks.
- Russia: Has been working on lasers since the 1960s.
- China: Claims to have laser systems with up to 10 km range.
- UK: Recently tested similar systems successfully.
All these nations are investing heavily because laser weapons have a compound annual growth rate of over 20%, indicating massive market expansion.
What’s Next for India?
Future Possibilities of DEWs in Indian Defense
Right now, the MK-2 is just a prototype. But DRDO is working on increasing the power from 30 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts, which would increase the range from 5 km to over 25 km.
Future upgrades might include:
- Naval deployment (on warships to destroy sea drones)
- Airborne lasers (mounted on fighter jets)
- Satellite-based defense systems
The project is internally referred to by some as Mission DURGA, which may eventually evolve into Durga II — a system that could take down ballistic missiles mid-air.
This means India may soon have the power to shoot down even long-range threats like enemy missiles or stealth jets.
Strategic Importance for India
Defense, Diplomacy, and Deterrence
The development of DEWs is more than just military tech; it is about:
- Boosting India’s global defense standing
- Creating cost-effective solutions for modern warfare
- Establishing deterrence against drone warfare
- Preparing for swarm attacks and future wars
With border tensions around China, increasing drone threats from neighboring regions, and rapid military modernization across Asia, DEWs give India a much-needed edge in asymmetric warfare.
Human Angle: Why Every Indian Should Care
Everyday Relevance of Laser Defense
Let’s keep it real: Most of us won’t fight on a battlefield. But we all want our soldiers safe, our borders protected, and our money well spent.
Laser weapons:
- Protect without wasting resources
- Keep cities safe from surprise drone attacks
- Give us peace of mind in a cost-efficient way
Plus, innovations like this can lead to more civilian technologies in areas like satellite communications, weather monitoring, or even energy-efficient industries.
Conclusion: India’s Sci-Fi Moment is Now
India has stepped into a new age of defense. With DRDO’s DEW system, we are not just keeping up with global powers — we are shaping the future of warfare.
From invisible beams that can burn drones in seconds to upcoming systems that might destroy missiles before they reach our soil, this is a huge leap in our military journey.
As citizens, this is a proud moment. It’s not just about war — it’s about innovation, strategy, and national pride.
So the next time you see a drone in the sky or remember a scene from Star Wars, just know — India has arrived in that universe too.
