DRDO is preparing a major step in naval air defense with planned testing of a 100 kW directed energy laser weapon for Indian warships under the DURGA II program. Designed to counter drones, missiles, and other aerial threats, the system would mark a significant advance over earlier 25 kW-class lasers that mainly targeted enemy sensors through dazzling effects. At 100 kW, the weapon is expected to physically destroy drone airframes in flight and may also disable seekers on incoming anti-ship cruise missiles. The effort follows a successful 2025 demonstration of a 30 kW truck-mounted laser at Kurnool, where fixed-wing drones were reportedly engaged at about five kilometers. Engineers are now adapting the higher-power system for maritime operations, ensuring reliable performance in corrosive saltwater conditions and on moving platforms. India’s Visakhapatnam-class stealth destroyers are considered likely candidates for first deployment. Naval lasers are seen globally as an effective answer to swarm attacks because they can engage multiple targets quickly while reducing dependence on expensive missile-based defenses.
