India is advancing toward the deployment of shipborne directed energy weapons as the DRDO prepares to test a 100 kW high-power laser system for integration on frontline naval platforms. The effort is part of the DURGA II program, aimed at enhancing the Indian Navy’s ability to counter drones, missiles, and other aerial threats.
Earlier laser systems developed in India operated in the 25 kW class, primarily designed to disrupt or blind enemy sensors. The new 100 kW DURGA-II system represents a major leap, delivering sufficient energy to physically destroy drones in flight and potentially disable infrared seekers of anti-ship cruise missiles, adding a new defensive layer.
The program builds on prior demonstrations, including a 30 kW truck-mounted laser tested in 2025 that successfully neutralized drone targets at a range of about five kilometers. The current system is undergoing “marinization” to ensure reliable performance in challenging maritime conditions such as humidity, salt exposure, and ship motion.
Once operational, the laser is expected to be deployed on Visakhapatnam-class destroyer platforms, among the most advanced surface combatants in the Indian fleet. High-power laser weapons are increasingly seen as vital for modern naval defense, particularly against drone swarms and low-cost aerial threats, offering rapid engagement with reduced logistical burden. The initiative marks a significant step in strengthening India’s indigenous directed energy capabilities and enhancing naval survivability.
