Srinagar: The Indian Army successfully intercepted and neutralised a Chinese-origin drone—allegedly operated by the Pakistan Army—near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu, using an indigenously developed anti-drone laser system by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Defence sources confirmed the drone was detected in the 16 Corps operational area, south of the Pir Panjal range. The Army’s Air Defence units acted swiftly, deploying the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDD&IS), an advanced indigenous solution capable of detecting, jamming, spoofing, and destroying aerial threats.
#WATCH | Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh: For the first time, India has showcased its capability to shoot down fixed-wing aircraft, missiles and swarm drones using a 30-kilowatt laser-based weapon system. India has joined list of selected countries, including the US, China, and Russia,… pic.twitter.com/fjGHmqH8N4
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2025
A Game-Changer in Border Security
The IDD&IS, a product of DRDO innovation, is already in wide deployment along India’s borders. Its key component—a 2-kilowatt laser—can engage aerial targets within a range of 800 to 1,000 metres, making it highly effective against rogue drones and other low-altitude threats. In this recent incident, the system proved decisive.
Designed to address a spectrum of drone-related challenges, the system is now an integral part of India’s counter-intrusion efforts along the LoC and other high-risk zones.
DRDO’s High-Energy Laser Enters Operational Phase
The interception comes on the heels of a major technological milestone for DRDO—the development of a 30-kilowatt directed-energy weapon system capable of taking down fixed-wing aircraft, drone swarms, and incoming missile threats.
Following successful trials, this high-powered laser system has entered production and deployment phases, marking India’s entry into an exclusive group of nations—alongside the U.S., China, Russia, and possibly Israel—with operational high-energy laser weapons.
This is just the beginning of the journey. The synergy that this lab has achieved with other DRDO labs, industry and academia, I am sure we will reach our destination soon… We are also working on other high energy systems like high energy microwaves, electromagnetic pulse. So we are working on a number of technologies that will give us Star Wars capability. What you saw today was one of the components of Star Wars technologies,” said Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO.
#WATCH | Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh: DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat says, "As far as I know, it is the United States, Russia and China that have demonstrated this capability. Israel is also working on similar capabilities, I would say we are the fourth or fifth country in the world… https://t.co/toO7xuAVZi pic.twitter.com/fPPkoKJGM0
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2025
“As far as I know, it is the United States, Russia and China that have demonstrated this capability. Israel is also working on similar capabilities, I would say we are the fourth or fifth country in the world to demonstrate this system,” he added.
Dr. Jagannath Nayak, Director of the Centre for High Energy System and Sciences (CHESS), DRDO, said, “Whatever we have achieved today is a great success, and we have seen that we have neutralised fixed-wing aircraft at long range and then we have also seen that we have neutralised swarm drone… with the laser weapon, we can neutralise multiple targets. So, this is one of the new and emerging weapon systems. It is a massless weapon and the concentration of laser light falls on the target and neutralises it. So this is an achievement for our country and DRDO…”
Combat Features and Adaptability
The 30-kilowatt laser system comes with a comprehensive tactical toolkit. Its electronic warfare suite can jam communication and satellite signals, while a 360-degree Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor ensures precision targeting. The system is modular and can be mounted on land-based vehicles or adapted for naval use, offering flexibility for deployment by air, road, rail, or sea.
The Future: Project “Surya” and the 300-Kilowatt Leap
India’s laser weapon program is set to scale further with the development of the 300-kilowatt “Surya” system. Designed to counter fast-moving aerial threats—including missiles and advanced drones—the Surya project aims for an effective range of up to 20 kilometres.
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This expansion reflects a global defence trend of integrating directed-energy systems into mainstream military strategy, particularly in response to the growing menace of drone warfare and precision missile attacks.
A Strategic Shift in India’s Defence Posture
The interception of a foreign drone near the LoC and the operational readiness of high-energy laser weapons indicate a strategic pivot in India’s defence capabilities. At a time of heightened tensions and increasing frequency of cross-border intrusions, India is leaning into indigenous innovation to protect its airspace.
As laser weaponry moves from the lab to the battlefield, India’s next-generation deterrence tools are now very much operational—shaping a new era in modern warfare.
