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News: India has successfully conducted its first trial of a high-powered laser weapon, MK-II(A), using directed energy to neutralise an aerial target. Mk-II (A) Laser- Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system (Sahastra Shakti).
About Mk-II (A) Laser- Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system (Sahastra Shakti)
- It is an indigenously designed and developed 30-kilowatt laser-based weapon system that can disable, degrade or destroy small remotely piloted aircraft, swarm drones, missiles and sensors.
- Developed by: DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad along with other labs, academic institutions and Indian industries.
- Working: Once detected by its radar or by its inbuilt Electro Optic (EO) system, laser-DEW can engage targets at the speed of light and use an intense laser beam to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted.
- Advantages: Unlike traditional kinetic weapons, laser systems offer instantaneous engagement, precision targeting, low per-shot cost, reduce dependence on costly ammunition, limit collateral damage and are particularly suited to countering low-cost drone swarms — an increasingly common threat.
- Significance: India joins an elite group of nations—including the United States, Russia, and China—that possess operational high-power laser weapon technology.
