The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has begun developing a helicopter-mounted laser weapon designed to detect, track and neutralise hostile drones, with the project scheduled for completion by the end of 2029, according to sources in the defence establishment. The proposed system will use directed-energy technology to engage small unmanned aerial vehicles and could provide the Indian armed forces with another option for countering emerging aerial threats. The project involves two DRDO laboratories working alongside a private industry partner. The Hyderabad-based Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) is responsible for developing the laser directed-energy weapon itself.

Meanwhile, the Dehradun-based Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) is developing the stabilised gimballed pod that will accommodate the sensors and direct the laser beam towards its target. According to the sources, the proposed pod will weigh up to 180 kg and carry a thermal imager, a day camera and an eye-safe laser rangefinder. These components will enable the system to identify and track small drones at distances of up to five kilometres. Once a target has been detected and tracked, the laser is intended to engage it from a distance of up to two kilometres. The system is being designed to bring down hostile drones by concentrating directed energy on the target.

The development of a helicopter-mounted laser weapon presents several technical challenges. Unlike a system installed on a stationary platform, equipment carried by a helicopter must operate while the aircraft is vibrating, changing direction and manoeuvring. Maintaining a precise laser beam on a small, fast-moving drone under these conditions will be a critical requirement for the project. A source familiar with the programme said the detailed technical requirements had been shared with the private industry partner and that development work had begun. The source identified the ability to maintain the beam's lock on a moving drone despite the helicopter's movement as one of the project's principal challenges.

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The system will therefore need to combine accurate target tracking with stabilisation technology capable of compensating for aircraft motion. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and its armed variant, Rudra, are being considered as potential platforms for the weapon, the sources said. Both helicopters are part of India's indigenous helicopter development programme. Their suitability for carrying the proposed system will depend on the integration requirements, including the pod's weight, mounting arrangements and compatibility with the aircraft's onboard systems. The sources did not indicate that a final platform selection had been made.

The development schedule envisages integrating a prototype with the CHESS laser within two years. This stage will be followed by flight-safety trials and airworthiness certification by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC). These steps are necessary to assess the system's suitability for operation aboard a helicopter and establish whether it meets the required safety and performance standards. Airworthiness certification is particularly important for equipment that must function on an aircraft in flight. The laser system's mounting, stability, operation and interaction with the helicopter will need to be assessed as part of the certification process.

The proposed timeline also means that development, prototype integration and testing must progress according to schedule if the project is to reach completion by the end of 2029. Directed-energy weapons use concentrated energy rather than conventional ammunition to engage targets. In the proposed system, the laser would be directed towards a drone after the onboard sensors detect and track it. The effectiveness of such a system depends on several factors, including target tracking, beam stability, engagement distance and the ability to maintain the beam on a moving object for the required period. The project's stated detection and engagement ranges indicate the operational distances being targeted during development, rather than confirmed performance in service.

The system is being designed to address the challenge posed by small drones, which can be difficult to detect and engage using conventional methods. A helicopter-mounted capability could potentially allow the armed forces to deploy a counter-drone system from an airborne platform. However, its operational effectiveness will depend on the results of prototype testing, flight trials and certification. With the detailed requirements shared with the industry partner and work under way, DRDO's immediate objective is to integrate the laser with the stabilised pod and prepare the prototype for subsequent testing. The project is expected to proceed through technical development, flight-safety assessments and certification before its planned completion at the end of 2029.

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