The anticipated purchase of nine more laser-based counter-drone devices for deployment along the borders with China and Pakistan will greatly strengthen the Indian Army’s border security capabilities.
The increased threat of unmanned aerial vehicles being utilised for smuggling and spying, especially along the western front with Pakistan, prompted this strategic expansion.
Seven Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems (IDD&IS) that were created in-house by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have already been successfully operationalised by the Indian Army. In a recent event, Army Air Defence units stationed in the 16 Corps area shot down a Pakistan Army drone close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region, demonstrating the usefulness of these systems in practical situations.
The system spotted and neutralised the drone, which was proven to be of Chinese origin, while it was trying to carry out surveillance operations. The system’s operational readiness and efficacy against cross-border threats were demonstrated by this successful interception, which took place south of the Pir Panjal mountains.
A significant rise in drone-based infiltration attempts has coincided with the acquisition of additional systems, as these unmanned vehicles are often used to smuggle weapons, drugs, and conduct reconnaissance operations along the International Border and the Line of Control.
An important development in India’s defence technology arsenal is the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System. With an effective range of 800 to 1,000 meters, each system’s 2-kilowatt laser beam can destroy opposing drones. Beyond its destructive powers, the system delivers a comprehensive defence solution that can identify, jam signals, spoof drone navigation, and eventually destroy airborne threats across diverse operating scenarios.
Because of its adaptability, the system can be quickly put up in a variety of terrains, which makes it a vital tool for safeguarding India’s difficult and varied border areas. These systems have been deployed in substantial numbers throughout India’s borders and are actively used by the Indian Army and other security services for counter-drone operations.
Although India’s current operational capabilities are shown by the 2-kilowatt system, the nation has made impressive progress in creating more sophisticated directed energy weapons. At the National Open Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, on April 13, 2025, DRDO successfully tested a much more potent 30-kilowatt laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) weapon.
Officials characterised the MK-II(A) DEW system’s “lightning” speed and accuracy in destroying adversary surveillance sensors and antennae, thwarting multiple drone strikes, and engaging fixed-wing drones at great range. The system’s six 5-kilowatt lasers combine to form a single high-energy beam that can engage targets up to five kilometres away, greatly outperforming the capabilities of the systems now in use.
Advanced features of the 30-kilowatt system include a 360-degree Electro-Optical/Infrared sensor for accurate targeting and electronic warfare capabilities that may block satellite and telecom data.
It provides deployment flexibility across many operating contexts by being able to be placed on ground-based units or modified for naval platforms. Beyond these advancements, India is also developing the “Surya” laser system, which is even more potent at 300 kW. This system, which is anticipated to be operational by 2027, will have an effective range of up to 20 kilometres and be able to destroy advanced unmanned aerial systems and incoming missiles, among other high-speed aerial threats.
An important turning point in India’s progress towards technological independence in defence has been reached with the purchase and development of these laser-based military systems. The Ministry of Defense’s authority to purchase nine more systems in an emergency highlights how strategically important it is to combat the growing threat posed by drones. India has entered an elite group of nations with the successful development and testing of the 30-kilowatt laser weapon.
collection of countries, including the US, China, Russia, and possibly Israel, that have high-power laser-DEW technology. The Chairman of DRDO, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, described these advancements as elements of “Star Wars technologies,” highlighting the fact that India is developing a number of high-energy systems, such as electromagnetic pulse weapons and high-energy microwaves.
An important change in India’s strategy for border security and aerial threat neutralisation is the increased use of laser-based counter-drone systems. When compared to traditional anti-aircraft weapons, these systems have a number of operational benefits, such as cost-effectiveness, precision engagement, and less collateral damage.
Comparable to “a couple of litres of petrol,” the operational cost per engagement makes it a financially viable way to combat the spread of relatively cheap drone threats. As seen in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, the technology is especially useful against low-cost drone assaults, which are becoming more frequent in contemporary conflicts.
The country’s border security infrastructure has been significantly improved with the purchase of nine more laser-based counter-drone devices by the Indian Army. These sophisticated domestic systems offer a vital technological advantage in preserving territorial integrity as drone-based threats continue to develop along both the western and northern borders.
India is positioning itself as a pioneer in directed energy weapons technology, with more potent 30-kilowatt and anticipated 300-kilowatt systems in development and present operating 2-kilowatt systems that are proving effective in field settings. In addition to addressing current security issues, this all-encompassing strategy for counterdrone operations places India strategically among the world’s superpowers with cutting-edge defensive capabilities for future confrontations.
