Laser Weapon System, Advantages and Associated Challenges

Laser Weapon Systems are advanced directed-energy weapons that use focused laser beams to disable or destroy targets with high precision, offering a cost-effective and rapid-response solution for modern defense strategies.

Context: DRDO Successfully Tests Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) System. The system is fully indigenously designed and developed by DRDO.

What are Laser Weapons?

Laser weapons or DEWs are systems that use focused beams of light (laser) to damage, disable or destroy enemy targets.
LASER stands for: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
These weapons emit a high-energy beam of coherent light, often in the infrared or visible spectrum.
With this achievement, India joins an elite group of countries, including the USA, China, and Russia, that possess advanced laser weapon capabilities.

Advantages of Laser Weapons

Speed-of-light engagement: Instantaneous hit on target.
Low cost per shot: Only requires electrical energy (cheap compared to missiles).
Stealth: No sound, recoil or smoke trail.
Precision: High accuracy, minimizes collateral damage.
Unlimited magazine: This can be fired repeatedly as long as power is available.

Challenges associated

High energy demand limits mobile deployment.
Laser performance drops in rain, dust, fog or smoke.
Requires direct visibility to the target.

Types of Laser Weapons

Tactical High-Energy Lasers (HELs): Targets small UAVs, mortars, rockets etc.
- Power: 10–100 kW.
- E.g. DRDO’s Mk-II(A) DEW system
Strategic High-Energy Lasers: Targets missiles, aircraft and satellites at long ranges.
- Power: Exceeds 100 kW or more.
Low-Power Lasers: For non-lethal uses like blinding enemy sensors or disabling cameras.
- Power: <10 kW
- Used in riot control or temporary disabling missions.
Fibre Lasers: Light is generated and amplified within fibre optics.