The Indian Army is exploring a new approach to protecting T-90 and Arjun tanks on drone-saturated battlefields: equipping them with 10-kilowatt-class laser weapons.
Designed to engage targets at ranges beyond 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles), the laser system offers a response time of under two seconds, enabling rapid engagement of incoming threats.
Powered by artificial intelligence, the platform integrates 360-degree infrared and radar-based targeting for continuous detection and tracking across all directions.
Built to defend high-value assets with low-cost “ammunition,” the system enables silent, near-instant engagements in both day-and-night and all-weather conditions.
The laser is intended to counter a range of airborne threats, including first-person view drones, loitering munitions, and coordinated swarm attacks.
Protecting the Frontline
Under this concept, the laser “shields” would be deployed to protect larger formations of roughly 20 to 40 tanks operating together during offensive maneuvers.
According to the Indian Defence Research Wing, laser-equipped tanks could also function as mobile air-defense nodes operating alongside armored formations.
The proposed architecture would integrate these platforms into a wider network of close-in weapon systems, radar sensors, electro-optical trackers, and AI-assisted engagement management.
Working together, the system could create a localized defensive envelope around armored units operating in contested environments.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its potential, integrating laser systems onto armored vehicles presents significant technical hurdles, with power availability remaining one of the key constraints.
Laser weapons require stable energy supply, advanced thermal management, high-precision tracking, and continuous line-of-sight engagement to be effective.
Performance can also be limited by heat buildup, as sustained firing generates significant thermal loads that must be efficiently dissipated to maintain operational capability.
The concept reflects a broader global trend, with several militaries exploring directed-energy weapons for counter-drone roles across multiple domains.
