india has effectively created a 30-kilowatt laser-based directed-energy weapon (DEW) that can destroy airborne threats such as swarm drones, missiles, and fixed-wing aircraft. With this achievement, india joins a select group of countries with sophisticated laser weaponry, including the US, China, and Russia. It raises India's profile in international defense alliances and may pave the way for joint development of directed-energy weapons.
The weapon system was tested in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, and was created by the Hyderabad-based DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS). It showed that it could disable hostile surveillance sensors, engage drones at great range, and stop numerous drone strikes. It has electronic warfare capabilities, such as the ability to jam satellite signals and communications, and can target aircraft threats within a 5-kilometer range.
"This is just the beginning," said Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the DRDO. To develop "Star Wars"-style defensive capabilities, india is also developing electromagnetic pulse weapons and high-energy microwave systems.
This innovation improves India's defense preparedness in a number of areas, such as naval and land operations. Given the increasing sophistication of airborne threats such as drones, missiles, and surveillance systems, this laser weapon offers an effective means of eliminating adversaries at a considerable distance. It increases India's capacity to thwart asymmetric warfare strategies, such as the employment of drone swarms in contemporary battles.
High-powered lasers are used in directed-energy weapons, which drastically lower operating costs in comparison to conventional missile defense systems that need costly ammo. This improves sustainability by reducing spending on defense logistics and resupply.
Future Developments: Microwave & Electromagnetic Pulse Weapons.
To further expand India's defense capabilities, the DRDO is also developing electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons and high-energy microwave devices. This is in line with India's overarching objective of developing independent, cutting-edge military capabilities.
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Weapons
Strong electromagnetic radiation bursts produced by EMP weapons have the ability to take down electronic infrastructure, such as satellites, communication networks, and military command centers.
EMP-based counter-drone systems, which can rapidly take down swarms of enemy drones without causing physical damage, are being developed by DRDO. In order to respond quickly to threats from electronic warfare, these weapons are being incorporated into India's future battlefield strategy.
High-Energy Microwave (HEM) Systems
HEM systems are useful against precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) because they can damage electronic circuits, disrupt radar systems, and jam adversary communication networks.
These weapons interfere with or damage electronic systems in hostile drones, missiles, and surveillance equipment by using concentrated microwave energy.
Vehicle-mounted microwave weapons development is being spearheaded by DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), located in Hyderabad. HEM systems are useful against precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) because they can damage electronic circuits, disrupt radar systems, and jam adversary communication networks.
Key Projects Underway
Project DURGA II: A 100-kilowatt laser-based DEW designed for long-range precision targeting.
MK-II (A) Vehicle-Mounted Microwave Weapon: Successfully tested in april 2025, capable of neutralizing aerial threats using high-energy microwaves.
India's emphasis on developing DEWs domestically is consistent with its objective of becoming self-sufficient in defense technology. These developments will be essential for securing vital infrastructure, combating drone threats, and modern warfare.
The weapon system was tested in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, and was created by the Hyderabad-based DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS). It showed that it could disable hostile surveillance sensors, engage drones at great range, and stop numerous drone strikes. It has electronic warfare capabilities, such as the ability to jam satellite signals and communications, and can target aircraft threats within a 5-kilometer range.
"This is just the beginning," said Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the DRDO. To develop "Star Wars"-style defensive capabilities, india is also developing electromagnetic pulse weapons and high-energy microwave systems.
This innovation improves India's defense preparedness in a number of areas, such as naval and land operations. Given the increasing sophistication of airborne threats such as drones, missiles, and surveillance systems, this laser weapon offers an effective means of eliminating adversaries at a considerable distance. It increases India's capacity to thwart asymmetric warfare strategies, such as the employment of drone swarms in contemporary battles.
High-powered lasers are used in directed-energy weapons, which drastically lower operating costs in comparison to conventional missile defense systems that need costly ammo. This improves sustainability by reducing spending on defense logistics and resupply.
Future Developments: Microwave & Electromagnetic Pulse Weapons.
To further expand India's defense capabilities, the DRDO is also developing electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons and high-energy microwave devices. This is in line with India's overarching objective of developing independent, cutting-edge military capabilities.
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Weapons
Strong electromagnetic radiation bursts produced by EMP weapons have the ability to take down electronic infrastructure, such as satellites, communication networks, and military command centers.
EMP-based counter-drone systems, which can rapidly take down swarms of enemy drones without causing physical damage, are being developed by DRDO. In order to respond quickly to threats from electronic warfare, these weapons are being incorporated into India's future battlefield strategy.
High-Energy Microwave (HEM) Systems
HEM systems are useful against precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) because they can damage electronic circuits, disrupt radar systems, and jam adversary communication networks.
These weapons interfere with or damage electronic systems in hostile drones, missiles, and surveillance equipment by using concentrated microwave energy.
Vehicle-mounted microwave weapons development is being spearheaded by DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), located in Hyderabad. HEM systems are useful against precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) because they can damage electronic circuits, disrupt radar systems, and jam adversary communication networks.
Key Projects Underway
Project DURGA II: A 100-kilowatt laser-based DEW designed for long-range precision targeting.
MK-II (A) Vehicle-Mounted Microwave Weapon: Successfully tested in april 2025, capable of neutralizing aerial threats using high-energy microwaves.
India's emphasis on developing DEWs domestically is consistent with its objective of becoming self-sufficient in defense technology. These developments will be essential for securing vital infrastructure, combating drone threats, and modern warfare.
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