India's new drone killer: DRDO starts production process of a mobile weapon that can destroy drone swarms 5 km away

India is preparing to take its desi drone killer, 30kW-class laser weapon, from development and trials towards production. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is expected to identify an industry partner within the next six months for the truck-mounted directed-energy system, which can be used against drone swarms, fixed-wing UAVs and surveillance sensors at distances of up to 5 km, a TOI report stated.

The move comes as the growing use of cheap drones creating a challenge for conventional air-defence systems. A large attack involving low-cost unmanned aircraft can force armed forces to use much more expensive interceptors, raising the cost of defending against the threat.

DRDO completes 30kW laser trials last year

As per DRDO, the 30kW system completed final trials in August 2025. The technology has now been demonstrated, opening the next phase of the programme. The weapon is mounted on a truck and is designed to direct high-energy laser beams at aerial targets. Its intended targets include drone groups, fixed-wing unmanned aircraft and surveillance sensors.


The system's reported range extends up to 5 km. The move towards production is also significant because it would shift the programme beyond the technology demonstration stage. DRDO is now looking at industry participation for taking the system forward.

Why drones are changing air defence

The economics of drone warfare are one reason directed-energy weapons are attracting attention. A relatively inexpensive drone can be used for surveillance or probing an enemy's air-defence network. Destroying every such target with a costly missile can become difficult when an attacker sends a large number of drones.

Operation Sindoor in May 2025 brought this issue into focus. Drones were used extensively by both sides, while Pakistan used relatively cheap drones for probing and surveillance missions. These included attempts to locate Indian air-defence positions and make India use its more expensive interceptors. That creates a difficult calculation for air-defence planners. The cost of the weapon used to defeat a target can be far higher than the cost of the target itself.

How a laser drone killer changes the equation

A directed-energy weapon works differently from a missile or other kinetic interceptor. A high-energy laser beam travels at the speed of light. It therefore does not have the same flight-time requirement as a missile travelling towards its target. There is another difference. A laser does not require a conventional missile stockpile for every engagement. Its operation depends on having enough electrical power and the ability to generate and direct the required energy at the target. This makes the technology particularly relevant to situations involving multiple drones or other relatively slow aerial targets.

India already has smaller laser systems

The 30kW weapon is not India's first effort to field directed-energy systems. A 2kW DEW is already in production through Adani, Astra and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). India is also moving ahead with a 10kW system. It has cleared the Acceptance of Necessity stage, and 10-12 systems have been ordered. Larsen & Toubro and BEL have been selected as development-cum-production partners for the programme.

The 10kW system is designed to engage targets at distances of up to 2 km. The 30kW weapon therefore sits higher in the developing range of India's laser-based systems, with a stated engagement range of up to 5 km.

Project Sudarshan Chakra and higher-power weapons

The 30kW programme forms part of India's broader effort to create a layered air-defence network under Project Sudarshan Chakra. DRDO is also working towards systems in the 50kW and 100kW classes. The broader air-defence approach involves several types of weapons and technologies. Missiles, guns, electronic warfare and directed-energy weapons can form different layers within such a network.

US, Israel, China and Russia developing laser weapons

India is not alone in developing directed-energy weapons. The US has tested and deployed laser-based systems for countering drones. Israel is developing its 100kW-class Iron Beam system. China has also displayed systems including Silent Hunter and LY-1. Russia is pursuing directed-energy weapon technologies as well.

DRDO is increasingly looking to industry for production and routine engineering activities while retaining its focus on core technologies. The 30kW laser will put that approach to a practical test. The technology has completed its trials, and the next challenge is to move it from demonstration towards production and eventual use by the armed forces.