DRDO Completes Field Trials of IDD&IS Mk-IIA with 30kW Laser, Prepares for Technology Transfer to Private Sector

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed field testing of the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDD&IS) Mk-IIA, equipped with a powerful 30kW laser weapon. The system is now ready for Limited Access Technology Transfer (LA-ToT) to private Indian firms for mass production, marking a critical step in indigenising India’s directed-energy weapon systems.

According to the information displayed in the image, DRDO has also already transferred the technology for the IDD&IS Mk-II variant, featuring a 10kW laser, to the private sector, while the most advanced version, IDD&IS Mk-III—armed with a 50kW high-energy laser—is currently under development.

Key Features and Capability

The IDD&IS (Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System) is designed as a multi-layered, mobile counter-drone solution to detect, track, and neutralize hostile UAVs using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods. As seen in the image above, the system is mounted on a military-grade mobile truck platform, enabling quick deployment in the field.

Here’s how the three main versions of IDD&IS compare:

This layered approach makes it a versatile defence tool, capable of jamming (soft kill) or destroying drones with lasers (hard kill), depending on the threat level. The system is expected to be deployed to protect critical infrastructure, military bases, airports, and VIP events where UAV threats are becoming increasingly common.

Strategic Impact

The development and successful field trials of the Mk-IIA come at a time when drone incursions across India’s western borders and high-profile attacks using UAVs have grown. In such a security landscape, directed-energy weapons like high-power lasers provide a cost-effective, instant-response solution to take down multiple targets without collateral damage.

DRDO's effort to transfer this technology to the Indian private defence industry is a major push toward the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. It not only ensures self-reliance in next-gen defence tech, but also encourages the growth of indigenous production ecosystems, creating jobs and building local capabilities.

50kW Laser Variant in Development

While the Mk-II and Mk-IIA systems are already battle-ready or nearing production, the Mk-III version, with a formidable 50kW laser and enhanced detection and tracking range, promises to bring India’s anti-drone strategy to the global forefront. Once operational, it will match or exceed capabilities of international counterparts like the US's HEL-MD or Israel's Iron Beam system.

The IDD&IS program is rapidly maturing into a flagship indigenous solution for countering drone threats. By combining radar, jammers, EO/IR sensors, and high-energy lasers into one integrated system, DRDO has placed India at the cutting edge of drone defence. As production begins in the private sector, we may soon see widespread deployment of these systems across India’s borders, urban hubs, and high-security zones.

The era of laser warfare in India has officially begun.