India and US advance laser weapon production for drone defense

Military powers in India and the United States are advancing the production and deployment of high-energy laser weapons to counter drone threats. These directed-energy systems aim to solve the cost-exchange imbalance, where expensive interceptor missiles are traditionally used to destroy low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

In India, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is moving its 30kW-class laser system toward mass production. Mounted on a mobile truck, the system can engage drone swarms and surveillance equipment at ranges up to 5 kilometres. DRDO intends to select a domestic industrial partner within six months to facilitate manufacturing.

In the United States, the Army has awarded AeroVironment a contract valued at approximately $500 million to produce the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) system. This marks the Army’s first production contract for such a weapon. US directed-energy systems are already being utilized or tested against aerial threats in the Middle East and along the US southern border.