India's Breakthrough in Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)

1. In April 2025, The Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) under DRDO has successfully demonstrated the MK 2(A) version of its vehicle-mounted laser directed energy weapon.
2. This is a major achievement in India’s quest for homegrown high energy laser weapons to counter aerial threats like drones, missiles, and low flying aircraft.

About MK 2(A) demonstration-

 

CHESS (Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences)

• It is a DRDO lab based in Hyderabad.
• Specializes in directed energy technologies, including lasers, microwave weapons, and beam control systems.
• Plays a key role in India's Durga II and laser weapon research programs.

 

• System Name: MK 2(A) Land version of a vehicle mounted Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW).
• Location: DRDO’s testing range in Kurnool.
• Platform: Mounted on a tactical military vehicle, making it mobile and battlefield-ready.
•  

• Target: Demonstration involved neutralizing aerial threats like drones using a precisely focused high-energy laser.

 

Key Features of MK 2(A) LDEW

Feature	Details
Laser Power	~30 kW (estimated)
Platform	Mounted on heavy military vehicle
Mobility	Can be deployed quickly in different terrains
Target Capability	Drones, UAVs, low-speed missiles
Range	Up to 5 km (short-range battlefield application)
Sensors	Electro-optical & Infrared tracking system
Developer	CHESS (DRDO), Hyderabad

What is MK series?

1. The MK series refers to India’s vehicle mounted Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) system developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS).
2. The MK projects represent the evolution of India’s directed energy weapons, aimed at defending against a variety of aerial threats, particularly drones, UAVs, and missiles.
3. The MK series began with the MK 1 prototype and has evolved into the MK 2(A) system.

Comparison of MK 1 and MK 2(A) Laser Directed Energy Weapons

 

Feature / Project	MK 1	MK 2(A)
Type	Laser Directed Energy Weapon	Advanced Laser Directed Energy Weapon (Updated)
Developed by	DRDO, CHESS (Centre for High Energy Systems)	DRDO, CHESS (Centre for High Energy Systems)
Power Output	~10 kW (Experimental Phase)	~30 kW (Increased Power for Enhanced Capability)
Purpose	Initial Testing for UAVs and Drones	Enhanced Testing for UAVs, Missiles, Drones
Deployment Platform	Mounted on Light Vehicles	Mounted on Heavy Military Vehicles
Technology Used	Laser Beam Technology for short-range threats	Advanced Laser Beam, Improved Tracking Systems
Range	~1-2 km (Limited Range)	~5 km (Extended Range for Tactical Use)
Target	Primarily UAVs and Drones	UAVs, Drones, Low-Speed Missiles
Tracking System	Basic Electro-optical Sensors	Advanced Electro-optical & Infrared Sensors
Status	Prototype stage, limited trials	Successful Demonstration (Tested at Kurnool)
Mobility	Semi-mobile, mounted on light vehicle	Fully mobile, mounted on military tactical vehicles
Operational Use	Experimental for Defense Research	Operational for Combat Situations
Significance	Marked India’s entry into LDEW research	Major step in indigenous LDEW capabilities

What is a Laser Directed Energy Weapon?

• A Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) is a system that emits highly focused energy, typically in the form of lasers, to damage or destroy enemy targets.
• Unlike traditional weapons, DEWs can engage targets at the speed of light, offering precise targeting with minimal collateral damage. They are effective against a range of threats, including drones, missiles, and other aerial platforms without using bullet and explosives.

How does it work?

1. A powerful laser beam is generated using energy (usually electricity or chemical reactions).
2. This beam is aimed precisely at a target using advanced sensors and tracking systems.
3. The laser travels at the speed of light, so it hits the target almost instantly.
4. It heats up the target and can disable or destroy it by burning through its outer layer or electronics.

Technology Behind Laser DEWs-

1. Laser Generator

• The core part of the weapon is a laser source.
• It creates a high-energy beam of light.

There are different types of laser generators:

• Solid-state lasers: Use solid materials (like crystals) to generate the beam.
• Fiber lasers: Use optical fibers and are compact, powerful, and more efficient.
• Chemical lasers: Use chemical reactions to produce high-energy beams (used earlier, but bulky and toxic).

2. Power Supply

• The system needs a lot of energy to fire the laser.
• Power is usually supplied from:
  • Batteries
  • Generators
  • Vehicle engines (in mobile DEWs)

3. Beam Control System

• This part makes sure the laser beam is aimed correctly.
• It includes:
  • Mirrors and lenses to focus the laser
  • Gimbals or turrets to move the laser in any direction
  • Cooling systems to keep the laser from overheating

4. Targeting & Tracking Sensors

• The weapon has advanced cameras and sensors (like EO/IR – Electro-Optical/Infrared sensors).
• These help in:
  • Detecting incoming threats like drones
  • Tracking them in real-time
  • Locking on to them with precision

5. Command & Control System

• This is like the brain of the weapon.
• It takes input from the sensors, processes it, and decides when and how to fire the laser.

Uses of Laser DEWs

1. Defense Against Drones- Can detect and destroy enemy drones before they reach military bases or important buildings.

2. Missile Defense- Can be used to shoot down missiles in the air by burning or damaging their sensors or outer shell.

3. Air and Naval Defense- Mounted on ships, trucks, or aircraft to protect against aerial attacks. Useful for coastal defense and protecting navy ships from enemy boats or aircraft.

4. Electronic Warfare- Can disrupt enemy communication systems or damage satellites and radars.

5. Border Security- Helps the army to monitor and protect borders, especially from aerial surveillance or drone attacks.

Benefits of Laser Weapons

1. Speed of Light Attack- Lasers hit the target instantly much faster than missiles or bullets.

2. High Accuracy- Can target very small or fast-moving threats with extreme precision.

3. Silent and Invisible- Operates quietly, and the laser beam is mostly invisible making it hard for enemies to detect.

4. Low Cost Per Shot- Once the system is built, firing the laser costs very little just electricity. Much cheaper than firing missiles or rockets.

5. No Ammunition Needed- Doesn’t need physical ammo like bullets or shells just power supply. This means no logistics or storage issues for ammunition.

6. Unlimited Shots- As long as there is power, it can keep firing again and again.

 7. Minimal Collateral Damage- Because it’s so precise, it’s less likely to harm nearby people or buildings.

 India's Laser Directed Energy Weapon Program (key projects by DRDO)-

 

1. Aditya Project

• First initiated to explore chemical laser systems.
• Prototype tested to neutralize low-flying aerial targets.
• Now serves as a base for newer fiber-laser systems.

2. Durga II (Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array)

• A major ongoing project to build a 100 kW class laser weapon.
• Aims to deploy high-energy DEWs on fighter aircraft, naval ships, and trucks.
• Will be India’s most advanced laser weapon system once completed.

3. Other Related Programs

• CHESS (Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences) under DRDO is leading the DEW research.
• Integrating AI and tracking systems for automatic target detection and destruction.

 

Global Context: Countries Developing Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)

United States

• Systems:
  • HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical dazzler and Surveillance) – deployed on US Navy destroyers.
  • THOR (Tactical High Power Operational Responder) – counters drone swarms using microwave energy.
  • LaWS (Laser Weapon System) – tested successfully on ships.
• Focus: Navy, Air Force, and drone defense; battlefield deployment in real-time.
• Agencies: DARPA, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, U.S. Department of Defense.

United Kingdom

• System: DragonFire laser weapon.
• Use Case: Naval ship defense, drone neutralization, and precision strikes.
• Development Partners: UK Ministry of Defence with MBDA, Leonardo, QinetiQ.
• Milestone: Successful test conducted in 2023.

Israel

• System: Iron Beam (by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems).
• Use Case: Complements the Iron Dome by shooting down rockets, drones, and mortar shells using 100 kW class laser.
• Advantage: Lower cost per shot compared to interceptors like Tamir missiles.

Russia

• System: Peresvet laser weapon system.
• Use Case: Primarily for anti-satellite operations and missile defense.
• Deployment: Officially inducted into the Russian armed forces in 2018.
• Other Tech: Also developing microwave-based systems for electronic warfare.

China

• Systems: Silent Hunter – used for low-altitude drone defense.
• Use Case: Urban defense, battlefield lasers, space warfare.
• Concerns: Alleged use of lasers to blind foreign satellites and pilots.

France

• System: Developing the HELMA-P (High-Energy Laser for Multiple Applications – Power) system.
• Use Case: Drone and low-flying aircraft defense.
• Partners: CILAS and the French Defence Innovation Agency (DGA).

Comparison of India’s DEW Projects

Feature / Project	Aditya	Durga II
Type	Laser Directed Energy Weapon	Laser Directed Energy Weapon
Developed by	DRDO + Indian Army	DRDO (CHESS Lab)
Power Class	~25 kW (experimental)	~100 kW (proposed, under testing)
Status	Initial trial complete (2022–2023)	Under development/trial (since 2021)
Mobility	Mounted on trucks/vehicles	Vehicle-portable (future aim: aircraft/navy adaptable)
Target Capability	UAVs, light missiles, optical sensors	UAVs, missiles, drones, artillery shells
Range	Few hundred meters to 1 km	Up to 2–5 km (planned)
Use Case	Tactical battlefield use (Army)	Strategic defense (air/naval/space ops)
Special Feature	Compact, good for border defense	High-energy precision attack
Related Labs	DRDO, LRDE	CHESS, DRDO Hyderabad