The United Kingdom has announced plans to invest up to $324 million to purchase two units of the DragonFire laser weapon system, developed for the Royal Navy.
The acquisition is part of a government commitment to equip four ships with this technology by 2027. The contract, announced in June, foresees delivery between 2025 and 2028, with the possibility of extension until 2032.
The investment is part of a larger $2.9 billion package announced to strengthen national defense, with a special focus on directed energy weapons and artificial intelligence.
Developed by a consortium led by MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, and QinetiQ, the DragonFire is a directed energy laser weapon system capable of neutralizing targets such as drones, artillery projectiles, fast boats, and certain types of missiles. It uses a 50 kW fiber laser and an advanced sensor system for precise targeting, able to hit targets with great accuracy at several kilometers. The technology operates solely on electricity, reducing logistical and operational costs, with each shot costing less than $27.
Tests carried out on the ground, including the first laser shoot-down of aerial targets in the UK in October 2023, have proven the system’s effectiveness. DragonFire represents a promising alternative to conventional armaments, offering near-instantaneous response speed, high precision, and less dependence on physical ammunition. The adoption of this type of weaponry could mark a new phase in the country’s naval defenses.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @RoyalNavy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
A powerful laser weapon will be added to the #RoyalNavy’s arsenal…
The cutting-edge DragonFire laser will be installed on a warship by 2027, adding to an already potent array of air defence weapons countering growing drone and missile threats.
▶️ https://t.co/I29Q1mjX4G pic.twitter.com/101DcgTsYw
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) April 12, 2024
