The British Army could soon be taking down drones with laser weapons mounted on armoured vehicles, as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) moves to fast-track new high-tech countermeasures.
In a market notice released on 13 June, the MOD formally invited industry proposals for land-based Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) systems capable of shooting down small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) at ranges beyond one kilometre. The goal? Get them operational within 12 months.
The initiative is being led by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) as part of the UK’s growing efforts to tackle the escalating threat posed by low-cost, high-impact drones on the battlefield.
Fast-Tracked, Vehicle-Mounted, and British-Made
According to the notice, the MOD is seeking complete laser weapon systems – including effector, power source, cooling, and sensors – designed for mounting on military vehicles. These systems must be able to detect, track, and destroy drones in real-time, and ideally be ready for field use by mid-2026.
Crucially, suppliers are expected to ensure that at least 50% of the system’s value is UK content, underlining the government’s commitment to strengthening domestic defence manufacturing.
The budget for the initial procurement phase is up to £20 million, and the MOD is encouraging industry collaboration, with consortia welcome to put forward joint solutions.
Live demonstrations will be required as part of the selection process. The MOD has confirmed it will provide government-controlled test ranges and facilities to evaluate the effectiveness of the systems under real-world conditions.
“Deliberately Broad” Scope
The MOD’s request for information is intentionally open-ended. The language is “deliberately high level and outcome based,” allowing flexibility in terms of technology and approach.
The focus is on gauging the maturity, performance, cost, and readiness of available laser systems suitable for counter-UAS operations in a land warfare environment.
The market engagement process runs until 11 July 2025, and will include one-to-one sessions with security-cleared suppliers between 16 June and 11 July. An additional industry-wide engagement day may be held, depending on the level of interest.
Follows Successful British Laser Test
This push comes hot on the heels of a successful laser weapon trial by the British Army in October 2024. A High Energy Laser (HEL) demonstrator, developed by Team Hersa, a collaboration between DE&S, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and a Raytheon UK-led industry group, was fired from a Wolfhound armoured vehicle at Radnor Range in mid-Wales.
During the trial, soldiers from 16 Regiment Royal Artillery successfully shot down hovering drones, marking a major step forward in Britain’s journey towards directed energy warfare.
With this latest announcement, it’s clear the MOD isn’t just experimenting, it’s preparing to deploy laser weapons on the battlefield, and fast.
