Britain is accelerating the development of laser weapons designed to protect military installations and key national infrastructure from drone attacks, The Times has learned. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is investigating how directed energy systems could be integrated into homeland air defence as part of a £20 million investment in this cutting-edge technology.
Central to the plan is DragonFire, a high-powered laser capable of burning through drones, mortar rounds, and even brick walls. Under a £300 million defence deal, the system will be deployed on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers from 2027. The weapon is designed to intercept aerial threats at a fraction of the cost of conventional missile defences, with each shot costing approximately £10 compared to the £1 million Sea Viper missiles currently used.
The MoD’s investment aims to expand DragonFire’s capabilities and explore lower-power laser systems for protecting the homeland against drones. Officials envision these systems complementing existing air defences, which rely primarily on scrambling fighter jets, to safeguard sensitive military sites and critical infrastructure.
The initiative comes amid rising concerns over drone activity across Europe. In recent months, scores of suspicious unmanned aerial vehicles, suspected to be Russian, have been reported in at least 15 NATO countries, often near airports and military installations. On September 9, for example, Polish radar detected 19 drones entering its airspace from Ukraine and Belarus, prompting fighter jet interceptions. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, described the incidents as “a coherent and escalating campaign” of hybrid warfare, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz directly blamed Moscow.
Israel’s deployment of its Iron Beam laser system has highlighted the strategic potential of directed energy weapons. The Iron Beam is capable of intercepting drones, rockets, missiles, and mortars and has been praised as a “game-changer” for its cost-effectiveness and precision. British military figures, including Colonel Richard Kemp, have suggested that the UK could benefit from a similar layered air defence approach to counter swarming aerial threats.
Researchers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) in Porton Down have been developing DragonFire for years, with successful trials demonstrating its ability to destroy small unmanned aircraft travelling at up to 650 km/h and hit targets as small as a £1 coin from a kilometre away. Video released by the MoD shows the system striking a fixed-wing drone above the Hebrides, melting its airframe and sending it tumbling to the ground.
Experts caution that while lasers offer precision and affordability, the UK’s size makes nationwide coverage challenging. Phillip Lester, a retired RAF air vice-marshal, suggested that laser systems are best deployed for point defence around critical sites rather than attempting to cover the entire country. “The principle function of air defence in the UK remains fighter jets, but lasers could provide additional protection for key areas, ensuring national resilience,” he said.
A MoD spokesperson emphasized the broad potential of laser technology, noting: “We are actively exploring opportunities, particularly in counter-drone systems, and investing to complement DragonFire to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of this technology into the future.”
As drone threats continue to grow and hybrid warfare evolves, Britain’s investment in directed energy weapons represents a significant step toward modernising national security and protecting its armed forces and infrastructure with next-generation technology.
