India and Germany develop laser weapons to counter cheap drones
The use of directed-energy weapons aims to provide a cost-effective solution for intercepting drones and cruise missiles.
India and Germany are developing laser-based Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) to address the economic challenges of using expensive interceptors against low-cost drones, according to the Times of India.
In Germany, MBDA Deutschland has secured a contract to create a pod-based demonstrator. This project serves as the country's first formal step toward airborne laser weapons for the German air force (Luftwaffe), with the long-term objective of targeting cruise missiles and enemy drones.
MBDA stated it has worked on these technologies since 2008 and claims to have demonstrated a full laser weapon system in 2012. The company noted that mounting lasers on aircraft is more difficult than on trucks or ships due to constraints regarding weight, cooling, power, and aerodynamics.
In India, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) plans to find an industrial partner for a 30kW-class laser weapon designed for truck mounting. This system is intended to target surveillance sensors, fixed-wing UAVs, and drone swarms at distances of up to 5 km, following the completion of final trials in August 2025.
The requirement for such technology became more evident after Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when Pakistan used inexpensive drones to locate and probe Indian air defences. Laser systems offer the advantage of engaging targets at the speed of light and provide a lower cost per shot compared to traditional ammunition.
Under Project Sudarshan Chakra, the DRDO is developing various power levels, including a 2kW weapon already in production by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Adani, and Astra. While the 10kW version has passed the acceptance of necessity stage, the DRDO is also working on 50kW and 100kW-class systems.