DRDO has made significant advancements in the field of directed-energy weapons.
India Develops Directed-Energy Laser Weapon ‘Surya’
DRDO has made significant advancements in the field of directed-energy weapons. This system boasts an operational range of 20 kilometres and is designed to neutralise aerial threats such as drones, missiles, and other airborne projectiles. The Laser Science and Technology Centre DRDO’s lead laboratory for laser technology, is spearheading the project. While DRDO has previously developed a 25-kilowatt laser capable of targeting ballistic missiles within a 5-7 km range, this new initiative represents a significant leap in power and capability.
The Surya laser weapon system represents a significant advancement in India’s defence capabilities, particularly against modern air-based threats. While India’s Surya is still under development, it is expected to rival these advanced systems in terms of power and precision. The global competition underscores the growing importance of laser weapons in modern warfare due to their ability to engage targets at the speed of light with minimal collateral damage.
The development of Surya places India among a select group of countries, including the United States, China, Russia, and Israel, that are pioneering high-power laser technologies for defence applications. While other countries have developed notable systems, such as the U.S. AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System and China’s Sheng-1 laser, India’s Surya stands out for its power and range.
The Surya laser weapon is expected to strengthen India’s multi-layered air defence strategy and contribute significantly to its defence capabilities against emerging threats like drone swarms and hypersonic missiles. Future advancements may include the development of even more powerful laser systems, potentially reaching the 1 MW class, to counter long-range ballistic threats.
