In a glimpse of futuristic combat, the Indian Army wielded a hand-held directed-energy weapon (DEW) to zap drones out of the sky during a recent exercise.
During the drill, the army operated a portable DEW against aerial targets, marking one of India’s clearest demonstrations yet of this emerging precision weapon.
The DEW is reportedly a prototype developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), part of a broader effort to field laser-based counter-drone tools.
Earlier this year, the DRDO confirmed tests of its Mk-II (A) DEW, designed to disable unmanned aerial vehicles and small fixed-wing aircraft.
The organization is also pursuing higher-power systems, including a planned 300-kilowatt “Surya” laser weapon slated for demonstration by 2027.
Strategic Significance and Next Steps
The demonstration underscores India’s push to fold new counter-drone tools into a multi-domain operational framework.
DEWs offer precision that many kinetic interceptors can’t match, limiting collateral damage while strengthening protection for critical assets.
The exercise also signals continued progress in domestic weapons innovation, with potential ripple effects for defense exports and regional deterrence.
Looking ahead, the Indian Army is expected to speed up deployment of mobile, vehicle-mounted DEWs, weaving them into layered air-defense networks alongside guns, missiles, and sensors.
Further work will focus on doctrine, rules of engagement, and long-term sustainment, key steps in moving laser systems from prototype to operational reality.
