The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is on the verge of testing a formidable 100-kilowatt high-power laser system, marking a significant milestone in India's journey toward fielding ship-borne directed energy weapons.
This cutting-edge system is being tailored specifically for the Indian Navy's frontline combat vessels to enhance their maritime security.
According to sources, this upcoming evaluation falls under the ambitious DURGA-II (Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array) programme.
The initiative is strategically designed to equip the Indian Navy with next-generation defensive shields capable of thwarting aerial dangers, including uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), hostile missiles, and other airborne adversaries.
In the past, India's laser defence capabilities were largely concentrated in the 25-kilowatt range.
These earlier models functioned primarily as "dazzlers," serving to temporarily blind or disrupt the optical and electronic sensors of enemy platforms rather than destroying them outright.
The introduction of the 100 kW DURGA-II variant brings a massive escalation in sheer destructive power.
Pushing out an intense thermal beam, this weapon can physically burn through the exterior hulls of approaching drones, effectively tearing them apart in mid-air.
Furthermore, the high-energy laser is projected to scramble the infrared targeting systems of incoming anti-ship cruise missiles, creating a vital supplementary layer of naval defence.
This maritime endeavour represents a continuation of the DRDO's recent breakthroughs in the field.
Open-source records indicate that in April 2025, the DRDO achieved a major milestone by successfully testing a 30 kW vehicle-mounted Directed Energy Weapon—known under the Sahastra Shakti programme as the Mk-II(A)—at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
During those land-based trials, the 30 kW system exhibited its lethal accuracy by engaging and destroying fixed-wing drone targets from a distance of nearly five kilometres.
This achievement practically validated the effectiveness of laser-based air defence networks against uncrewed aerial threats.
Currently, scientists are subjecting the more powerful 100 kW naval model to a rigorous "marinization" process.
This crucial phase ensures that the delicate technology can endure the brutal realities of the ocean environment, including severe humidity, corrosive salt spray, and the continuous rolling motion of a warship.
Upon reaching operational readiness, the system is slated for integration aboard the Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyers.
Constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited, these vessels are currently the most sophisticated surface combatants in the Indian Navy's arsenal, making them the perfect candidates to field these revolutionary directed energy arrays.
Globally, high-energy lasers are rapidly becoming an indispensable component of futuristic naval defence strategies.
Their true value shines when countering massive swarms of budget-friendly drones, a modern tactic specifically intended to overwhelm and exhaust traditional, expensive missile defence systems.
Directed energy weapons offer a practically unlimited magazine and an incredibly low cost-per-shot—often compared to the price of a few litres of fuel.
This allows a warship to tackle multiple targets swiftly and sustainably without draining its physical ammunition reserves.
The DURGA-II programme therefore represents a monumental leap in establishing a self-reliant defence infrastructure, ensuring India's naval assets remain well-protected against the rapid evolution of modern aerial warfare.
