Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Select Industry Partner Within Six Months for 30kW Counter-Drone Laser Weapon Production Model

Key facts

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will issue an expression of interest within six months to select an industry partner for the first-of-production model (FOPM) of its 30kW directed-energy weapon (DEW).
• The truck-mounted 30kW laser weapon, DRDO's most powerful demonstrated directed-energy system, can engage drone swarms, fixed-wing UAVs and surveillance sensors at ranges up to 5 km.
• The system's final trials ended in August 2025, with DRDO stating the technology has been proved.
• The need for such a system was felt during Operation Sindoor, India's military action against Pakistan in May 2025, when drones were used heavily by both sides.
• The 2kW DEW is already in production by Adani, Astra and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), while the 10kW version has cleared the acceptance of necessity stage with 10-12 units ordered and Larsen & Toubro and BEL chosen as development-cum-production partners (DCPPs).
• With indigenous DEW development, India has joined the United States, China, Russia and Israel as countries with directed-energy weapon capability.