In a major step toward next-generation warfare, the Indian Army has successfully tested a handheld directed-energy weapon (DEW) during a live military exercise, using it to destroy drones in mid-air. The event highlighted India’s progress in developing laser-based defense systems that can neutralize unmanned aerial threats with pinpoint precision.
The demonstration marks one of the clearest indications yet of India’s move toward energy-based armament technologies, where lasers replace conventional ammunition to disable or destroy targets. The compact DEW, reportedly designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), focuses high-intensity light beams on drones to burn through their electronic components and optical systems, rendering them inoperative within seconds.
This prototype represents a milestone in DRDO’s broader initiative to develop multi-tier counter-drone systems, complementing existing radar-guided jamming and missile-based interception technologies. Future iterations are expected to feature enhanced power output, improved cooling systems, and automated tracking capabilities, enabling sustained operation in tactical environments.
The successful trial reinforces India’s intent to stay ahead in laser defense research, aligning with global efforts by major powers like the US, China, and Israel to operationalize directed-energy weapons as an essential element of modern battlefield deterrence and drone warfare strategy.
