India's indigenous laser weapons could destroy hostile drones for just a few hundred rupees per engagement, offering the armed forces a potentially decisive advantage as militaries worldwide struggle with the rising cost of countering inexpensive unmanned aircraft.&nbsp;Speaking exclusively to WION's Defence Pulse, Prof Hari Babu Srivastava, former Director General, Technology Management, DRDO, and former Director of the Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC), said India has already demonstrated the technology needed to achieve extremely low-cost laser engagements. “We have already done it,” Srivastava said when asked whether India could match American laser systems that reportedly destroy drones for less than five dollars per engagement.&nbsp;He explained that the immediate cost of firing a laser largely comes down to the electricity consumed in generating the beam.&nbsp;India's DRDO successfully demonstrated its indigenous 30-kilowatt Mk-II(A) laser-directed energy weapon in April 2025 at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The system demonstrated its ability to engage drones and disable surveillance sensors. According to Srivastava, the technology is now progressing towards production, with DRDO initiating the process of transferring the capability to Indian industry.&nbsp;The development comes as the United States accelerates its own directed-energy programme. In September 2026, the US Army awarded a contract worth approximately $465 million to AeroVironment for its LOCUST laser counter-drone systems.&nbsp;<h2>From drone defence to missile interception</h2>&nbsp;Srivastava believes India's directed-energy ambitions can extend well beyond countering small drones.He explained that more powerful laser systems, particularly those operating at higher altitudes, could eventually provide capabilities against more challenging aerial threats.&nbsp;A 100-kilowatt laser, he suggested, could potentially engage drones at distances approaching 10 kilometres under favourable conditions, although actual performance would depend heavily on atmospheric conditions and other operational factors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, he identified airborne laser weapons as a promising direction for military research. Lasers mounted on fighter aircraft could benefit from operating above clouds and atmospheric disturbances, potentially improving their effectiveness against aerial targets.However, intercepting missiles would require considerably greater power, possibly exceeding one megawatt of continuous laser output for certain applications. <h2>Why lasers will not replace missiles</h2> Despite their potential, Srivastava cautioned against assuming that laser weapons will make conventional air-defence missiles obsolete. He described lasers as weapons whose effectiveness depends heavily on weather conditions.Dust storms, clouds and atmospheric interference can significantly degrade laser performance, making conventional missiles and guns indispensable.Drone swarms present another challenge. A laser generally engages one target at a time, whereas high-power microwave weapons could potentially disrupt the electronics of multiple drones within a wider area. Srivastava said these two directed-energy technologies would therefore complement each other in future air-defence systems. <h2>India's advance in combining hundreds of laser beams</h2> In a significant disclosure, Prof Hari Babu Srivastava, former Director General, Technology Management, DRDO, said India has demonstrated the ability to combine multiple laser beams to generate higher power levels, a critical technology for developing next-generation directed-energy weapons.Explaining the engineering challenge, Srivastava said that generating laser outputs of 100 kilowatts, 300 kilowatts or even one megawatt requires sophisticated beam-combining techniques.“We generate this power by combining several beams, hundreds of beams actually,” he explained.According to Srivastava, only a handful of countries have mastered this highly specialised technology.He added that India has also developed the capability, stating that the country has demonstrated its expertise in combining laser beams to achieve higher power. Currently a Professor of Practice at IIT Delhi, his assessment points to a significant opportunity for India's defence industry.As inexpensive drones increasingly challenge conventional air defence economics, indigenous directed-energy weapons could allow India to intercept suitable threats at substantially lower marginal costs while preserving expensive missiles for targets that demand them.

Drone swarms present another challenge. A laser generally engages one target at a time, whereas high-power microwave weapons could potentially disrupt the electronics of multiple drones in a wider area. These two directed-energy technologies would therefore complement each other.

India's indigenous laser weapons could destroy hostile drones for just a few hundred rupees per engagement, offering the armed forces a potentially decisive advantage as militaries worldwide struggle with the rising cost of countering inexpensive unmanned aircraft. Speaking exclusively to WION's Defence Pulse, Prof Hari Babu Srivastava, former Director General, Technology Management, DRDO, and former Director of the Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC), said India has already demonstrated the technology needed to achieve extremely low-cost laser engagements. “We have already done it,” Srivastava said when asked whether India could match American laser systems that reportedly destroy drones for less than five dollars per engagement. He explained that the immediate cost of firing a laser largely comes down to the electricity consumed in generating the beam. India's DRDO successfully demonstrated its indigenous 30-kilowatt Mk-II(A) laser-directed energy weapon in April 2025 at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The system demonstrated its ability to engage drones and disable surveillance sensors. According to Srivastava, the technology is now progressing towards production, with DRDO initiating the process of transferring the capability to Indian industry. The development comes as the United States accelerates its own directed-energy programme. In September 2026, the US Army awarded a contract worth approximately $465 million to AeroVironment for its LOCUST laser counter-drone systems. From drone defence to missile interception Srivastava believes India's directed-energy ambitions can extend well beyond countering small drones. He explained that more powerful laser systems, particularly those operating at higher altitudes, could eventually provide capabilities against more challenging aerial threats. A 100-kilowatt laser, he suggested, could potentially engage drones at distances approaching 10 kilometres under favourable conditions, although actual performance would depend heavily on atmospheric conditions and other operational factors.

Drone swarms present another challenge. A laser generally engages one target at a time, whereas high-power microwave weapons could potentially disrupt the electronics of multiple drones in a wider area. These two directed-energy technologies would therefore complement each other.

India's laser weapons can destroy drones for just a few hundred rupees: Former DRDO DG

These high-energy lasers can provide significant benefits, such as lower cost per shot and rapid engagement of airborne threats.

These high-energy lasers can provide significant benefits, such as lower cost per shot and rapid engagement of airborne threats.

Why laser weapons cannot replace missiles on the modern battlefield

Laser weapons derive much of their attraction from the low marginal cost of each engagement and their speed of engagement.

Laser weapons derive much of their attraction from the low marginal cost of each engagement and their speed of engagement.

Why are laser based directed energy weapon cheaper to fire but harder to build?

As drone swarms proliferate and traditional air defences struggle with cost and response time, militaries are continuously reassessing how threats can be neutralised.

As drone swarms proliferate and traditional air defences struggle with cost and response time, militaries are continuously reassessing how threats can be neutralised.

Why militaries are turning to laser-based directed-energy weapons to counter drone swarms: 5 key advantages

Directed-energy weapons (DEWs) use concentrated light to disable or destroy targets at the speed of light, thus offering near-instant engagement at a relatively very low cost per shot when compared with conventional missiles. 

Directed-energy weapons (DEWs) use concentrated light to disable or destroy targets at the speed of light, thus offering near-instant engagement at a relatively very low cost per shot when compared with conventional missiles.&nbsp;

Iron Beam, HELIOS, DragonFire and more: 6 most advanced laser weapons and where India stands

Laser weapons are changing missile defence systems worldwide. Laser weapons offer instant, precise defence against missiles and drones. From drones to cruise missiles, laser technology is becoming a key tool in modern warfare.


Laser weapons are changing missile defence systems worldwide. Laser weapons offer instant, precise defence against missiles and drones. From drones to cruise missiles, laser technology is becoming a key tool in modern warfare.

How laser weapons are rewriting the future of missile defence

Military experts in China claim to have made a massive breakthrough in laser weapon technology by developing a new cooling mechanism that allows high-energy lasers to function "infinitely" without wasting heat buildup, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.&nbsp;

The report mentioned that the scientists at the National University of Defence Technology, in Changsha, Hunan province, said that the new cooling technology totally removes the hazardous heat generated by high-energy laser operation.&nbsp;The scientists further said that the problem has been a significant technical hurdle for laser weapon development.

They also stated that the weapons can now generate laser beams for as long as they wish, without interruption or loss in performance, thanks to new technology.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deadly-bacteria-found-on-bibby-stockholm-uk-evacuates-controversial-barge-624672">Deadly bacteria found on Bibby Stockholm, UK evacuates controversial barge</a>&nbsp;

As quoted by SCMP, the team led by laser weapon scientist Yuan Shengfu, said in a paper published on August 4 in Acta Optica Sinica: "This is a huge breakthrough in improving the performance of high-energy laser systems."&nbsp;

Acta Optica Sinica is a Chinese-language peer-reviewed journal.&nbsp;

The team further said: "High-quality beams can be produced not only in the first second but also maintained indefinitely."&nbsp;

The report mentions that the cooling system removes heat from inside the laser weapon while limiting turbulence and vibration and enhancing mirror cleaning through improved structures and optimal gas flow.&nbsp;

The researchers said that it has the potential to significantly change the face of battle by extending engagement times, increasing range and damage, and reducing logistics and costs.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-fires-chiefs-of-local-military-recruitment-centres-amid-corruption-allegations-624657">Ukraine fires chiefs of local military recruitment centres amid corruption allegations</a>&nbsp;

Yuan and his colleagues said: "Since the invention of the first ruby laser in 1960, people have been enthusiastic about transitioning from kinetic energy to laser energy for the rapid projection of energy at the speed of light, dreaming of laser beams to become ‘death rays’ that can instantly kill targets."&nbsp;

"Unfortunately, 60 years have passed and while various types of lasers have been developed, the application of high-energy laser systems has not been successful," they added.&nbsp;

Laser weapon development has accelerated in the face of increasing arms competition between the West and China. As a result, the appearance of this weapon may pose new challenges to missile sensors.&nbsp;

An old report by Eurasian Times mentioned laser guns, which may fire a beam to divert a homing missile, can be found on a variety of high-end military vehicles, including Air Force One and Apache attack helicopters.&nbsp;

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Military experts in China claim to have made a massive breakthrough in laser weapon technology by developing a new cooling mechanism that allows high-energy lasers to function "infinitely" without wasting heat buildup, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

Military experts in China claim to have made a massive breakthrough in laser weapon technology by developing a new cooling mechanism that allows high-energy lasers to function "infinitely" without wasting heat buildup, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. The report mentioned that the scientists at the National University of Defence Technology, in Changsha, Hunan province, said that the new cooling technology totally removes the hazardous heat generated by high-energy laser operation. The scientists further said that the problem has been a significant technical hurdle for laser weapon development. They also stated that the weapons can now generate laser beams for as long as they wish, without interruption or loss in performance, thanks to new technology. Also read: Deadly bacteria found on Bibby Stockholm, UK evacuates controversial barge As quoted by SCMP, the team led by laser weapon scientist Yuan Shengfu, said in a paper published on August 4 in Acta Optica Sinica: "This is a huge breakthrough in improving the performance of high-energy laser systems." Acta Optica Sinica is a Chinese-language peer-reviewed journal. The team further said: "High-quality beams can be produced not only in the first second but also maintained indefinitely." The report mentions that the cooling system removes heat from inside the laser weapon while limiting turbulence and vibration and enhancing mirror cleaning through improved structures and optimal gas flow. The researchers said that it has the potential to significantly change the face of battle by extending engagement times, increasing range and damage, and reducing logistics and costs. Also read: Ukraine fires chiefs of local military recruitment centres amid corruption allegations Yuan and his colleagues said: "Since the invention of the first ruby laser in 1960, people have been enthusiastic about transitioning from kinetic energy to laser energy for the rapid projection of energy at the speed of light, dreaming of laser beams to become ‘death rays’ that can instantly kill targets." "Unfortunately, 60 years have passed and while various types of lasers have been developed, the application of high-energy laser systems has not been successful," they added. Laser weapon development has accelerated in the face of increasing arms competition between the West and China. As a result, the appearance of this weapon may pose new challenges to missile sensors. An old report by Eurasian Times mentioned laser guns, which may fire a beam to divert a homing missile, can be found on a variety of high-end military vehicles, including Air Force One and Apache attack helicopters. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese military scientists achieved 'huge breakthrough' in laser weapon tech: Report

Experts from around the world feel that China intends to be the global net security provider overtaking the United States in this respect when it comes to emerging and disruptive technology, China already has a lead over the United States in some aspects.

China-US rivalry for laser weapons: US in lead, China reducing gap fast

Japanese defence firms have unveiled new anti-drone laser weapon prototypes. The new weapons release comes amid increasing Indo-Pacific tensions. Is Japan preparing its new weapons against Chinese attacks? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Japan unveils new anti-drone laser weapons

Two Japanese defense firms, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) have unveiled prototypes of their high-energy laser weapons to shoot down sophisticated enemy drones.

Japanese Defence firms introduce high-energy laser anti-drone weapons

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