India Joins Elite Club with ‘Star Wars’ Laser Tech, Zaps Drone Swarms in Historic Test

In a leap straight out of science fiction, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested a high-powered laser weapon capable of obliterating drones mid-air. The Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Mk-II(A), mounted on a vehicle, tracked and destroyed a fixed-wing UAV and a swarm of drones in a recent demonstration in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The test not only showcased pinpoint precision but also structural damage to targets—solidifying India’s entry into an elite group of nations with laser-defense capabilities, alongside the US, Russia, and China.

How the “Star Wars” Tech Works

The DEW system uses a radar or its built-in electro-optic sensors to detect threats. Once locked on, it fires a laser beam at light speed, slicing through drones or disabling surveillance sensors within seconds. During the test, the weapon caused catastrophic structural failure in targets, proving its lethality against low-cost, asymmetric threats like drone swarms—a tactic widely seen in conflicts like Ukraine.

DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat called this a “beginning,” hinting at ambitious plans: “We’re developing high-energy microwaves and electromagnetic pulses—true ‘Star Wars’ capabilities.”

CHESS DRDO conducted a successful field demonstration of the Land version of Vehicle mounted Laser Directed Weapon(DEW) MK-II(A) at Kurnool today. It defeated the fixed wing UAV and Swarm Drones successfully causing structural damage and disable the surveillance sensors. With… pic.twitter.com/U1jaIurZco

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) April 13, 2025

Why This Matters: Cost, Speed, and Collateral Damage

Traditional missile defenses are expensive and often cause unintended damage. The DEW system, however, offers a game-changing alternative:

• Cost-Effective: Lasers cost pennies per shot compared to million-dollar missiles.

• Instant Engagement: Targets are neutralized at light speed.

• Precision: Reduces collateral damage, critical in civilian-heavy zones.

With drone swarms becoming a favored tool for militants and state actors, the DEW could redefine battlefield strategy.

Collaboration and Future Roadmap

Developed by DRDO’s Hyderabad-based Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), the project involved academia, industry partners, and defense labs. The Mk-II(A) is just one piece of a broader puzzle. DRDO is already working on:

• High-Power Microwave Systems to disable electronics.

• Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Tech for area denial.

Global Context: The Race for Directed Energy

Nations are scrambling to counter cheap drone threats. Israel’s Iron Beam and the US’s HELWS are similar systems, but India’s homegrown DEW underscores its self-reliance push. As Kamat noted, “We’re among the first five globally to master this tech.”