India on Sunday carried out a successful trial of a laser-directed energy weapon system, joining a select group of nations having the new-age armament used to bring down hostile drones and unmanned aircraft.
Laser-Based Weapon System
This the first time, India has showcased its capability to shoot down fixed-wing aircraft, missiles and swarm drones using a 30-kilowatt laser-based weapon system. With this, India has joined list of selected countries, including the US, China, and Russia, that have shown such a capability
The Elite Club
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said the weapon system was tested at Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool. India is among very few countries which are developing directed energy weapon systems to deal with future security challenges. The US, China and Russia are known to have developed directed energy weapon systems.
In The League Of US, Russia, China
DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat also underlined this fact and said, "As far as I know, it is the United States, Russia and China that have demonstrated this capability. Israel is also working on similar capabilities, I would say we are the fourth or fifth country in the world to demonstrate this system."
Laser Directed Weapon
“CHESS DRDO conducted a successful field demonstration of the Land version of Vehicle mounted Laser Directed Weapon(DEW) MK-II(A) at Kurnool today,” the DRDO said in a social media post.
Laser Weapon Defeats Swarm Drones
"It defeated the fixed wing UAV and Swarm Drones successfully causing structural damage and disable the surveillance sensors. With this successful trial country has joined the exclusive club of the Global powers who possess the high power Laser DEW System," it said.
The government has been focusing on the development of the directed energy weapons (DEWs) and hypersonic weapons to bolster India's defence prowess. The Indian Air Force is already working towards integrating these weapon systems into airborne platforms.
(Inputs From ANI, PTI)
