India's 'Star Wars' Weapon: DRDO Successfully Tests Laser-DEW in Kurnool

Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh: In a breakthrough that propels India into an elite global league, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested a 30-kilowatt Laser Directed-Energy Weapon (DEW) system. With this, India joins the ranks of only four nations the USA, China, and Russia that possess such advanced weaponry capable of disabling drones and missiles with laser precision.

The test was conducted by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in collaboration with academic institutions and Indian industries. The Mk-II(A) DEW system, developed indigenously in Hyderabad, demonstrated its full capabilities  neutralizing fixed-wing drones at long range, destroying surveillance sensors, and countering multiple drone attacks simultaneously.

This next-gen counter-drone technology uses high-intensity laser beams to ‘burn through’ targets within seconds, offering a low-cost, reusable alternative to traditional missile defence systems. According to officials, firing the laser for a few seconds costs no more than a couple of litres of petrol making it one of the most economical and sustainable defence solutions available today.

DRDO is also working on microwave and electromagnetic pulse weapons to achieve futuristic “Star Wars”-like defence systems. “What you saw today was one of the components of Star Wars technologies,” said DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat.

With UAV threats on the rise, the DEW system marks a significant stride in India's defence preparedness, offering speed, precision, and affordability all critical in modern warfare.