India DRDO Developing Airborne Megawatt Laser to Counter Regional Missile Threats

India is taking a bold step into the future of warfare. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is now gearing up to develop a high-powered airborne laser weapon capable of neutralising tactical ballistic missiles and other advanced aerial threats. This ambitious project will see the creation of a megawatt-class Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) – a major leap from existing systems and a potential game-changer in India’s strategic defence architecture.

What is the Airborne Megawatt Laser Weapon?

At its core, the project envisions a laser weapon system mounted on an aircraft, using concentrated beams of energy to destroy or disable enemy missiles, aircraft, or drones at the speed of light. Unlike traditional missile-based interceptors, these weapons offer instantaneous response time, minimal operational cost per shot, and the ability to engage multiple targets without reloading.

Journey So Far: DRDO’s Directed Energy Progress

DRDO’s journey in laser weapons hasn’t started from scratch. Over the years, it has successfully developed:

• 2kW and 5kW DEWs: Primarily for use against small drones and low-speed aerial targets.

• 25kW to 50kW class systems: Currently in advanced development stages, ideal for neutralising rockets, mortars, and artillery shells.

• 100kW and 300kW DEWs: Designed for naval and land-based operations, capable of countering cruise missiles, enemy aircraft, and potentially low-orbit satellites.

These lower-powered DEWs have allowed DRDO to master critical technologies such as beam control, power storage and delivery, and thermal management, which will directly support the megawatt-class laser’s development.

Megawatt-Class Laser: A Technological Marvel

The airborne laser weapon currently being planned is a megawatt (MW)-level system, over a thousand times more powerful than the initial 1kW prototypes. Once operational, this weapon could:

• Engage high-speed targets like tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) during their boost or mid-course flight phase.

• Reach potential targets over 500 km away, especially when operated from high altitudes.

• Operate at near-zero cost per engagement, making it ideal for repeated use against saturation attacks.

Specifications and Capabilities (Expected)

Why Airborne?

Mounting the laser on an aircraft adds flexibility. Airborne platforms can:

• Rapidly shift deployment zones based on threat perception.

• Operate at high altitudes, increasing target visibility and engagement range.

• Complement India’s ground-based Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, which uses interceptor missiles, by adding an upper layer capable of early-phase missile interception.

Aircraft Integration: The Next Challenge

Developing such a powerful system isn’t without engineering hurdles. DRDO will have to solve several key issues:

• Power Generation: Supplying enough energy to sustain a megawatt-class laser during flight.

• Thermal Management: Managing and dissipating immense heat generated during firing.

• Precision Optics: Ensuring beam stability and accuracy over long distances.

• Platform Integration: Modifying aircraft to accommodate the laser system without compromising flight safety or manoeuvrability.

The Road Ahead

DRDO plans to begin development of this airborne megawatt laser only after the 300kW DEW project is completed. This phased approach ensures that the lessons learned from each stage feed into the next, gradually building up the technological sophistication needed.

In the coming years, the successful deployment of this system could give India a strategic edge in missile defence, particularly in a region where neighbouring countries possess significant TBM capabilities. It also marks a significant step toward self-reliance in futuristic defence technologies, aligning with India’s broader goals of technological sovereignty and military modernization.

As the DRDO continues to push boundaries, the dream of India having airborne lasers capable of knocking missiles out of the sky at lightning speed is steadily becoming a reality.