DragonFire Laser: The longer term belongs to drones. Each nation is racing to grasp drone expertise, however Britain has unveiled a weapon able to annihilating even the quickest drones and small missiles immediately. The DragonFire laser system can now observe and destroy drones transferring at speeds as much as 650 kilometres per hour. Profitable checks in Scotland have cleared the trail for deployment within the Royal Navy.
DragonFire can get rid of massive numbers of high-speed aerial threats with precision. The £316 million (Rs 3,711 crore) contract awarded to MBDA UK will see DragonFire put in on Sort‑45 destroyers by 2027 and create practically 600 high-level jobs.
The system delivers 50 kW of laser energy. First unveiled at London’s DSEI exhibition in 2017, it confronted delays on account of technical challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 accelerated its operational significance. Static testing succeeded in 2022, adopted by airborne goal testing in 2024.
Sort‑45 destroyers present supreme platforms with twin Rolls-Royce fuel generators delivering over 40 megawatts of energy.
DragonFire’s laser shot prices simply £10 (round Rs 1,200) for 10 seconds and will be fired repeatedly so long as electrical energy is accessible. It’s far cheaper and extra environment friendly than typical missiles or weapons. In 2023 and 2024, Sort‑45 HMS Diamond efficiently destroyed Houthi assault drones and a ballistic missile within the Pink Sea. The checks demonstrated that laser weapons can obtain exceptional outcomes even with restricted assets.
Consultants name DragonFire greater than a weapon. It’s a revolution in protection technique, offering a direct, cost-effective response to quick, small or low cost drone and missile assaults. The system strengthens Britain’s NATO and international protection capabilities. MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, Qinetiq and DSTL have collaborated to carry next-generation laser expertise to life.
DragonFire can also be a message about the way forward for warfare. Subsequent-generation laser vitality weapons not depend on conventional ordnance. Developed by means of industry-government collaboration, the system responds immediately to high-speed threats. Britain now leads international protection innovation and may neutralise small, quick assault gadgets with unprecedented precision.