DRDO Successfully Tests Mk-II Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) System in Andhra Pradesh.
Science and Technology
In April 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), headquartered in New Delhi, successfully conducted the field trial of its vehicle-mounted Mk-II (A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system. The test took place at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
- This trial marked a significant advancement in India’s defence capabilities, showcasing indigenous innovation under challenging environmental conditions.
- The Laser-DEW Mk-II(A) was tested for operational efficiency in extreme weather conditions and demonstrated its ability to engage targets at a range of 3.5 kilometres. With this successful trial, India has become the fourth country in the world—after the United States, Russia, and China—to possess a Star Wars-like DEW system, placing it among the global leaders in laser weapon technology.
- The Mk-II Laser DEW is a powerful 30 kilowatt (KW) laser-based weapon designed to disable, degrade, or destroy small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), swarm drones, missiles, and other surveillance or attack sensors. The weapon works by directing a concentrated beam of light to heat and damage the target, achieving high-impact results with surgical precision.
Main Point :- (i) The Mk-II Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) was indigenously developed by DRDO’s CHESS, Hyderabad, in collaboration with labs like LRDE (Bengaluru), IRDE (Dehradun), DLRL (Hyderabad), academic institutions, and Indian industries, showcasing a unified national effort in advanced defence technology development.
(ii) This laser-based DEW system offers ultra-fast engagement speed and precise targeting, making it highly effective against aerial threats like drones and missiles. Its compact design, operational simplicity, and low-cost nature make it a promising replacement for traditional kinetic or missile defence systems.
(iii) Equipped with radar and electro-optic systems, the DEW detects targets and emits a powerful laser beam that causes structural damage within seconds. It significantly reduces ammunition dependency and collateral damage, marking a transformative leap in India’s future battlefield strategy and defence capability.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Chairman : Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat
Headquarters: New Delhi
____________________________
