On April 13, 2025, DRDO announced that CHESS (Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences) successfully tested the Vehicle-mounted 30KW Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) MK-II(A) in Kurnool, which can take down fixed-wing UAVs and groups of drones by damaging their bodies and disabling their sensors.
This high-power laser system positions India among global leaders in DEW technology, a field where lasers are used to neutralize threats like drones, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional ammunition by relying on energy supply.
CHESS, a DRDO lab in Hyderabad, has been advancing DEW technology since at least 2022, collaborating with Bharat Electronics Limited for mass production, aiming to enhance India’s strategic defense capabilities against modern threats. According to DRDO, the high-power laser system caused structural damage to the targets and disabled their surveillance sensors, proving its efficacy against modern aerial threats. Directed Energy Weapons, such as the MK-II(A), utilize focused energy—typically lasers—to engage targets without the need for traditional projectiles. This makes them a cost-effective alternative to conventional missile-based defense systems, as they rely primarily on a power source rather than expensive ammunition.
Main Features of Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) MK-II(A)
- Laser Power– 30KW
- Range: 5 km
- Applications: It can defeat drones, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and missiles.
- Future Plans: To develop a more advanced laser weapon, like the 300KW Laser weapon ‘Surya.’
