DRDO's 10kW Directed Energy Weapon Nearing Operational Deployment, A Cost-effective Solution to Neutralize Threats like Pakistani Bayraktar Drones

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is on the verge of equipping the armed forces with a powerful new laser weapon system.

A 10-kilowatt (kW) Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), mounted on a mobile trailer, has nearly completed its final developmental trials and is approaching operational deployment, marking a major achievement for India's self-reliance initiative in defence technology.

The system uses a highly concentrated beam of light to destroy hostile targets. Unlike traditional air defence systems that fire expensive missiles, this laser weapon offers a highly cost-effective solution for each engagement.

This DEW is designed to engage threats like drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other low-flying objects such as rockets with pinpoint accuracy, neutralising them at the speed of light and minimising any surrounding damage.

A key feature of the new system is its mobility. By mounting the weapon on a trailer, it can be rapidly transported and set up in diverse environments, from high-altitude border posts to forward-operating military bases.

This flexibility is crucial for modern battlefields, allowing the armed forces to create a protective shield around critical infrastructure or moving troop columns, especially against threats like coordinated drone attacks.

According to sources, the weapon has successfully passed a series of demanding developmental trials conducted through 2024 and early 2025 in partnership with the Indian Army and Air Force.

During these tests, the DEW proved its ability to successfully detect, track, and destroy various aerial targets, including small, fast-moving drones, from a distance of several kilometres.

The system’s advanced tracking sensors performed effectively even in adverse weather conditions like fog and rain. Testers also validated the weapon's crucial thermal management system, which ensures the laser can be fired repeatedly without overheating.

The development of this laser weapon is a direct response to the changing nature of modern warfare. The widespread use of cost-effective yet lethal drones, such as the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci models used by Pakistan, has been a prominent feature in recent global conflicts.

Relying solely on conventional missiles to counter these relatively inexpensive drones is a financially unsustainable strategy. The DRDO’s new laser weapon provides the armed forces with a much-needed, economically viable layer of defence against such aerial threats, strengthening India's tactical capabilities.

 

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[Hemant Mishra]

This indigenous 10kW Directed Energy Weapon will significantly enhance India’s air defense capabilities . This will use by the both air force and army also it can deployed at some important government sites and important strategic points like electric grid or government offices.

 

[Mc Addy]

This will be great for point air defence, Ukraine took out billions of dollars worth of Bombers sitting in air fields across Russia via Truck logistics route , so the drones destroyed all bombers ,as they launched in automatic mode near base. This type of system will be good for Air base defence.

 

[Mc Addy]

Warfare and it's cheeky nature can take out best of defensive lines . Air bases are huge ,and difficult to petrol and here in our case as one can see taking local airlines, its a fish market like situation outside the airbases as they were built by British and we improved them so somthing must be done to get the combat jets out of drones and terror attacks like situations now .

 

[Hari Sud]

Think about counter to Ukraine type of attack deep in Russia. How to counter it. This very successful attack by Ukraine with finger prints of UK and America should be countered some how. Otherwise Pakistan will duplicate it against India.

 

[Hawkeye]

We need a 300 or 500 kW DEW System; Surya is supposed to be 300 kW.

 

[kumar]

DRDO is doing excellent work on DEW. They can create a separate team for increasing the conversion efficiency of lasers. As a country of our size, we should spend more on R&D.

 

[Parveen Gahlot]

This should be in production by now and deployed at various Airforce stations and other military stations across India. This would be used as small FPV countermeasure.
But need to focus on 30KW and later for much higher powerful like 300KW or 500KW.

 

[bonito]

What happens if a bomb-loaded drone is hit by a DEW? Will the bomb explode, or will the drone fall down, possibly exploding the bomb? What exactly does neutralizing with bomb-loaded drones mean?

 

[Sandeep]

What happens if a bomb-loaded drone is hit by a DEW? Will the bomb explode, or will the drone fall down, possibly exploding the bomb? What exactly does neutralizing with bomb-loaded drones mean?

That’s always going to be a risk. It’s the same with a drone or jet as whatever weapon they have if it doesn’t explode in the air then they definitely will on the ground on impact.

 

[Sandeep]

These can be useful against drones or helicopters but it will have a short range of interception. It’s ideal to protect bases and front line posts against incoming threats.

What we need to do is 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture our own long range DEW which can intercept jets, various type of drones and missiles.

 

[pgahlot]

Good in starting and produce them in huge numbers and secure our all military, Airforce and navy installations across Bharat.
But focus on increasing the power to 30W, 100W, 300W and 500W