Paras Defence & Space Technologies Ltd., an Indian firm traditionally known for its optics and electromagnetic shielding, has officially entered the directed energy weapons (DEW) market.
The company recently showcased a new laser-based drone interceptor—part of its RayStrike series—designed to instantly identify, track, and destroy hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
This platform addresses the urgent need for high-precision countermeasures on modern battlefields, where drones pose an escalating threat.
Global military spending is increasingly shifting towards counter-drone technology.
As small commercial drones, loitering munitions, and swarm attacks reshape modern combat, armed forces are looking for solutions that are both effective and economically viable.
Laser interceptors are emerging as a leading choice because they operate at the speed of light and drastically reduce the cost per engagement compared to firing expensive traditional surface-to-air missiles.
The newly unveiled system relies on a combination of advanced tracking sensors and a high-power focused laser beam. Once an incoming aerial threat is detected and locked onto, the intense energy beam physically burns through the drone.
This targeted heat causes structural failure, destroying critical components like cameras, control electronics, or propulsion mechanisms in seconds, rendering the drone completely inoperable.
This directed-energy approach marks a significant departure from kinetic weapons that rely on physical projectiles. Laser weapons offer profound operational benefits, most notably a virtually unlimited magazine capacity restricted only by the availability of electrical power.
Furthermore, they allow for immediate target engagement, generate minimal collateral damage, and have the unique ability to rapidly sweep and disable multiple low-cost drones in quick succession.
The introduction of this system highlights a broader national push to develop directed-energy technology within India’s indigenous defence sector. Both private enterprises and government agencies are heavily investing in next-generation laser weapons.
For instance, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been actively advancing its own high-power DEW programmes, such as the DURGA II, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to build a robust, multi-layered air defence network against modern aerial threats.
While Paras Defence has kept certain technical specifications under wraps—such as the exact effective range or the specific drone categories the platform can defeat—open-source reports indicate that systems like the RayStrike 9 are being developed in multiple power configurations, ranging from 3kW to 9kW.
Designed for rapid deployment and continuous operation, these platforms are ideally suited for protecting highly sensitive areas, including military bases, ammunition depots, forward operating locations, and critical national infrastructure.
The timing of this technological leap is highly relevant, given the widespread use of drone warfare in recent global conflicts. Low-cost unmanned aircraft have proven exceptionally capable of gathering intelligence, spotting artillery targets, and executing precision strikes.
This tactical shift has forced militaries worldwide to accelerate the deployment of dedicated systems capable of neutralising these threats well before they reach their targets.
Moving forward, military strategists view laser-based counter-drone systems as a crucial, complementary layer of an integrated air defence grid. Rather than replacing existing hardware, these laser platforms will work in tandem with early-warning radars, electro-optical sensors, electronic warfare jammers, and conventional missile batteries. Their cost-effectiveness makes them specifically valuable for defending against repeated drone strikes and coordinated swarm attacks.
Ultimately, this development by Paras Defence illustrates the expanding capabilities of India’s private defence industry.
By moving beyond their traditional roles as component suppliers to building complete advanced combat systems, private firms are taking on responsibilities previously dominated by state-run research organisations.
As directed-energy weapons continue to evolve, the indigenous private sector will become instrumental in delivering cutting-edge, future-ready capabilities to the Indian Armed Forces.
