WW3 fears as UK set to roll out lethal ‘laser weapons throughout all domains’
The UK is ramping up research and development efforts surrounding laser weapon technology, but the MoD remains tight-lipped on future plans, citing ‘sensitivities’
The Ministry of Defence has said that the UK is exploring laser weapons across ‘multiple domains’ but still refuses to share details beyond programmes we already know about, such as DragonFire.
Armed Forces Minister Al Carns said in a written response to Tory MP James Cartlidge that the government was ‘investing’ in what he described as ‘directed energy weapons’ to bring them into ‘service.’
He said: ” [The government is ] investing in Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) to accelerate these capabilities into service, developing sovereign technology and systems to put the UK at the forefront of an emerging market and be an engine for growth.”
Rather than obtaining laser weapons, it sounds like the funding is being put to increase research and development into these next-gen weapons. It comes after a team of Japanese scientists invented laser-powered death rays capable of wiping out insects mid-flight without pesticides.
While DragonFire remains the most visible laser weapon programme, the minister said the work underway would “contribute to advanced future capabilities across laser and radio-frequency systems across all domains,” but stressed that these systems are expected to enter service “on a longer timescale.”
However, Carns refused to say whether the government has placed orders for additional laser systems, due to security and commercial sensitivities.
He said that “we cannot comment on all contracts for security and commercial reasons,” while confirming that the MOD is “exploring DEW applications across many use cases, both within the MOD and with partners across Government.”
It comes as Japan has developed a mass laser weapon that is powerful enough to knock drones out and burn through metal. Installed on a 6.3 million kg warship, the laser system is specifically designed to target mortar rounds, drones, and other “lightweight airborne threats”.
On December 2, Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) confirmed in a statement that the laser weapon was installed on the JS Asuka test ship, which was docked at one of Japan Marine United’s shipyards.
In 2026, the system will set out to sea for its first trials under maritime conditions, according to AGChatch, a Youtube channel that monitors Japanese naval technology.
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