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DRDO Successfully Tests Mk-II Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) System in Andhra Pradesh.

Science and Technology | Dated: 16 Apr 2025

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.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - 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.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (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.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which organization recently conducted a successful field trial of the Mk-II Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system in Andhra Pradesh?

Correct Answer: DRDO

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

  • Chairman : Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat
  • Headquarters: New Delhi