India has marked a major technological breakthrough in modern warfare with the successful demonstration of a 30-kilowatt (kW) Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system (Sahastra Shakti). Developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the laser system has proven its ability to shoot down fixed-wing drones and swarm UAVs, significantly enhancing India’s counter-drone and air defense capabilities.
Sahastra Shakti : What Is a Directed Energy Weapon?
Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) use high-energy laser beams to damage or destroy enemy targets. Unlike traditional kinetic weapons, laser systems offer instantaneous engagement, precision targeting, and low per-shot cost, making them ideal for neutralizing low-RCS (Radar Cross Section) threats like drones and incoming munitions.
Sahastra Shakti : DRDO’s 30-kW Laser System: Technical Milestone
In recent field trials, DRDO’s 30-kW DEW-MK II(A) successfully tracked and neutralized aerial targets, including:
- Fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Swarm drones, simulating coordinated drone attacks
- Radiating panel of an antenna.
- Blinding an EO System.
The tests involved advanced electro-optical tracking, beam-focusing systems, and automated kill assessment algorithms, demonstrating a fully integrated weapon solution capable of defending critical infrastructure.
Sahastra Shakti: Naming the Future of India’s Laser Weapons
DRDO has named its new laser weapon system “Sahastra Shakti,” blending cultural identity with scientific innovation. In Sanskrit, “Sahastra” means “a thousand,” while “Shakti” refers to divine power or feminine energy. Notably, Maa Durga, a warrior goddess, is also called Shakti and symbolizes protection, strength, and precision. Earlier, DRDO had developed a prototype named “DURGA” (Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array), inspired by the same goddess. That version represented a concept stage with limited combat utility. Now, DRDO signals operational maturity with the name “Shahastra Shakti.” This weapon focuses immense energy to destroy targets silently and instantly. Moreover, the name reflects the power of a thousand weapons in a single, controlled beam. It neutralizes drones and missiles with light-speed precision, making it ideal for modern battlefield conditions. Through this name, DRDO connects India’s ancient philosophy with its future warfare capabilities. As a result, “Sahastra Shakti” stands as both a technological achievement and a cultural statement.
Art of Compact fire power
DRDO has mounted the Sahastra Shakti laser weapon system on two 4×4 vehicles. One vehicle carries the Command and Control (C2) unit, equipped with an electro-optical (EO) targeting and tracking system, enabling precise targeting of aerial threats. The second vehicle houses the Beam Control Unit, which directs the powerful laser beam toward the target. Looking ahead, the final system design could incorporate one C2 unit with multiple Beam Control Units, allowing it to engage larger swarms of drones simultaneously. This flexibility, combined with the system’s high mobility and compact size, ensures rapid deployment and adaptability across different tactical scenarios. In the future, this configuration could provide a scalable, highly effective solution for countering extensive drone incursions and other airborne threats.
Future Developments: Project for 300-kW Laser
Building on this success, DRDO is developing a 300-kW laser weapon system under the codename “Surya” (reportedly). This high-energy laser will have an extended range of up to 20 kilometers and is intended to neutralize supersonic missiles, UAVs, and high-speed aircraft. Project Surya aims to deploy laser systems aboard air defense platforms and border-based mobile units, enhancing rapid-response capabilities.
Global Context
With this demonstration, India joins an elite group of nations—including the United States, Russia, China, and Israel—that possess operational high-power laser weapon technology. These systems are reshaping how militaries engage aerial threats in the modern battlespace.
Implications for National Defense
This laser-based defense system gives India a tactical edge in asymmetric warfare, particularly in regions prone to drone incursions along its borders. It is also a game-changer for future combat scenarios, where saturation drone attacks and precision-guided munitions are increasingly common.