India’s 30-kW Directed Energy Weapon: Sahastra Shakti 2025

On April 13, 2025, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a historic breakthrough by successfully testing the 30-kilowatt Sahastra Shakti laser system — a state-of-the-art Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) capable of disabling enemy drones and surveillance assets with pinpoint accuracy.

Officially known as the Sahastra Shakti DEW, this cutting-edge laser-based weapon system marks a significant leap forward in India’s defence capabilities. Unlike conventional weapons, it uses high-energy beams of light to deliver damage silently, instantly, and at a remarkably low cost per shot.

As India faces growing aerial threats—from UAV incursions to electronic surveillance—Sahastra Shakti introduces a revolutionary approach to security: one rooted in precision, speed, and minimal collateral damage. It represents a crucial step in India’s emerging laser defence ecosystem, where real-time threat neutralisation has become the new norm.

This isn’t a standalone project. With Project Surya, DRDO is already working on scaling up to a 300-kW high-energy laser system, expanding the nation’s vision for next-generation warfare. These innovations position India among the few countries pushing the boundaries of energy-based weapons on the global stage.

Let’s begin with what makes Sahastra Shakti different…

What Are Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)?

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) are advanced military systems that use focused forms of energy, such as lasers, high-powered microwaves, or particle beams, to damage or neutralise targets without physical projectiles.

Instead of bullets or missiles, these weapons harness electromagnetic energy to strike with unmatched speed and precision.

In short: A Directed Energy Weapon can disable a drone mid-air using nothing but light—instantly, silently, and without collateral damage.

Key Advantages of Directed Energy Weapons

Let’s break down why DEWs are revolutionising warfare:

1. Instantaneous Engagement (Speed of Light)

• DEWs operate at 299,792 km/s—the speed of light
• Perfect for intercepting hypersonic missiles, drones, and swarm attacks
• Zero delay means near-instant kill decisions

2. Pinpoint Accuracy

• Focuses energy precisely on the target
• Minimal collateral damage, ideal for urban, civilian-heavy, or sensitive zones
• Can disable a sensor or destroy a whole vehicle based on intensity

3. Low Operational Cost

• No ammunition needed — powered by electricity
• Each shot costs just a fraction of what missiles or bullets cost
• Enables long-term usage during extended missions

4. Scalable & Flexible

• Adjustable intensity:
  • Low power: disable optics or engines
  • High power: destruction
• Works for both soft-kill and hard-kill operations

Why DEWs Are Ideal for Modern Warfare

From counter-drone operations to missile defence, Directed Energy Weapons are shaping the future of combat. They are:

• Silent, invisible, and lightning-fast
• Efficient against swarm threats, where traditional ammo would be costly
• Adaptable to multiple environments — deserts, urban areas, sea, and borders

In essence, DEWs offer clean, cost-effective, and continuous firepower, exactly what modern militaries need in a fast-changing threat landscape.

Sahastra Shakti: Key Features & Specifications

The Sahastra Shakti is a compact, high-powered 30-kilowatt Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) developed by DRDO for real-time air defence and precision engagement. It combines cutting-edge laser targeting with portable deployment architecture, making it a vital asset in India’s next-generation laser defence ecosystem.

Core Features of the Sahastra Shakti DEW

This 30-kilowatt laser weapon uses precise energy bursts to disable threats with zero collateral damage and no physical projectiles.

Performance Metrics (April 2025 Trials)

During recent battlefield simulations and live trials, Sahastra Shakti demonstrated remarkable operational performance:

• Over 90% accuracy in neutralising fixed-wing UAVs and commercial drones
• Lock-to-kill time of under 1 second
• Sensor degradation confirmed via automated kill assessments
• Optic blinding is effective at distances up to 3.5 km

These trials highlight Sahastra Shakti’s readiness for real-world asymmetric threat scenarios, especially where missile deployment would be too risky or expensive.

Why It Matters

Unlike bulky missile systems or manually operated guns, Sahastra Shakti delivers:

• Instant engagement, minimal infrastructure
• Surgical strikes on surveillance drones and enemy optics
• Scalable protection for high-value assets and sensitive zones

This makes it a prime solution for border defence, military installations, and strategic infrastructure vulnerable to drone-based incursions.

Global Comparison: How Does Sahastra Shakti Stack Up?

While many countries are investing in Directed Energy Weapons, India’s approach with Sahastra Shakti is uniquely strategic.

While systems like Israel’s Iron Beam are designed for heavy rocket interception, India’s Sahastra Shakti focuses on precision anti-drone and surveillance disruption—a vital tool for low-intensity conflict zones and border protection.

Real Battlefield Use Case: How It Works in Action

A swarm of hostile drones enters Indian airspace near a sensitive border outpost. Within milliseconds, Sahastra Shakti’s electro-optical tracking system detects the swarm. The 30-kilowatt laser beam locks onto a drone’s optical sensor, fires silently, and burns out its visual feed—without a single explosion, sound, or warning.

The drone crashes. The base remains untouched.
No missiles launched. No collateral damage. No cost escalation.

This is what real-time, zero-cost-per-shot, directed-energy warfare looks like in practice.

What’s Next?

Sahastra Shakti is just the beginning. DRDO’s roadmap includes Project Surya, a planned 300-kilowatt high-energy laser system designed for advanced aerial and ballistic threats.

Next: India’s Laser Leap — Inside Project Surya and the Future of 300-kW Laser Weapons

Project Surya: India’s 300-kW Laser Weapon of the Future

Project Surya is DRDO’s next big leap in laser warfare — a 300-kilowatt high-energy Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) designed to neutralise advanced threats like ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and drone swarms with precision and speed.

While Sahastra Shakti tackles low-altitude threats, Surya will scale up India’s laser defence ecosystem, offering long-range protection for critical infrastructure and military zones.

10× more powerful than Sahastra Shakti, Project Surya is India’s answer to global systems like the U.S. HEL TVD and Israel’s Iron Beam.

Currently in development, it will be vehicle-mounted, powered by advanced AI tracking, and capable of intercepting targets at distances over 10 km—all at a fraction of the cost of missile-based systems.

Strategic Importance: Why India Needs Sahastra Shakti

India faces a new generation of low-cost, high-impact aerial threats, especially from drones used for smuggling, surveillance, and electronic disruption along its borders. Traditional anti-aircraft systems are expensive and often overkill for such fast-moving, small threats.

The Sahastra Shakti Directed Energy Weapon offers a smarter solution.

1. Instant Response to Drone Incursions

Regions like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan face daily drone intrusions. Sahastra Shakti allows for:

• Sub-second engagement time
• Accurate neutralisation of small aerial threats
• Per-shot cost of ₹200–₹300, vs. ₹25+ lakh for a single missile

This makes it India’s most cost-effective defence system against UAVs and swarm drones.

2. Laser Shield for Border Surveillance

Deployed strategically across porous borders, Sahastra Shakti enables an autonomous defence grid capable of disabling:

• Smuggling drones
• Surveillance UAVs
• Low-speed aircraft
• Optical and infrared sensors

This creates an invisible fence of laser protection, improving airspace sovereignty.

3. Force Multiplier with AI Integration

Future upgrades, such as Project Surya, aim to integrate artificial intelligence and multi-target tracking, allowing:

• Simultaneous neutralisation of multiple UAVs
• Automated threat assessment and engagement
• Reduced manpower and reaction time

This turns Sahastra Shakti from a weapon into a battlefield force multiplier.

4. Cost-Effective & Scalable Defence

Unlike missile-based systems, Sahastra Shakti:

• Uses electric-powered laser beams
• Has zero reload requirements
• Offers near-unlimited shots at minimal operational cost

It’s the ideal solution for frequent, low-cost threats where traditional systems fail to scale.

Overcoming Technical Challenges & Innovations in Sahastra Shakti

While the Sahastra Shakti Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) represents a breakthrough in India’s defence capability, its development wasn’t without obstacles. Building a laser weapon that works in real-world combat conditions required DRDO to overcome multiple engineering and operational challenges.

Here’s how they solved them:

1. Heat Dissipation

The Challenge: High-energy lasers generate intense heat during sustained use, which can degrade performance or damage components.

DRDO’s Innovation:
To manage this, Sahastra Shakti uses liquid-cooled fibre laser technology, enabling continuous operation without overheating. This system keeps the laser stable and battle-ready during long missions.

2. Beam Focusing Over Long Distances

The Challenge: Maintaining a tight, focused beam over long ranges (up to 5 km) is critical for destroying fast-moving aerial targets like drones.

DRDO’s Innovation:
The team developed adaptive optics and beam control systems to adjust in real-time, compensating for atmospheric distortion and target movement, ensuring pinpoint accuracy even in dynamic conditions.

3. Scalable Power Source

The Challenge: Laser weapons need consistent, high-voltage energy, difficult to sustain in mobile field environments.

DRDO’s Innovation:
Sahastra Shakti is powered by vehicle-integrated energy systems, including battery banks and capacitors. These allow the laser to operate continuously and be deployed flexibly across different terrains.

4. All-Weather Functionality

The Challenge: Lasers typically face reduced effectiveness in fog, dust, and rain, common in India’s varied climate zones.

DRDO’s Innovation:
Extensive testing is underway in foggy, dusty, and humid conditions, with real-time beam tuning systems being evaluated to enhance reliability in adverse weather scenarios.

These innovations prove DRDO isn’t just building weapons — it’s engineering solutions for the future of warfare.

Collaboration & Indigenous Innovation in Sahastra Shakti

The success of the Sahastra Shakti Directed Energy Weapon is not just a technological achievement—it’s a shining example of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission in action.

Led by the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) under DRDO, the project exemplifies how inter-agency collaboration is transforming India’s defence landscape.

Key Collaborators Behind Sahastra Shakti:

• CHESS (DRDO) – Led the end-to-end design and R&D of the 30-kilowatt laser system
• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) – In charge of large-scale production and battlefield deployment systems
• IISc Bengaluru & IIT Delhi – Provided critical research in optical engineering, material science, and beam control technologies

This synergy between government labs, academia, and defence manufacturers represents a new era in India’s indigenous defence capabilities.

Why It Matters

• Ensures technology ownership—no dependency on foreign suppliers
• Accelerates self-reliance in critical strategic weapons systems
• Builds a sustainable ecosystem for next-gen DEWs, missiles, sensors, and surveillance systems

From design to deployment, Sahastra Shakti is 100% Made in India.

Conclusion: A New Era in Laser-Based Defence

The development of Sahastra Shakti is not just a technological feat—it marks a transformative shift in India’s defence doctrine. As global militaries pivot toward non-kinetic, energy-based systems, India has taken a bold leap forward with its 30-kilowatt Directed Energy Weapon.

This indigenous innovation, led by DRDO, delivers unmatched advantages:

• Precision targeting of aerial threats
• Near-instant engagement speeds
• Minimal operational costs
• Zero collateral damage

With platforms like Project Surya on the horizon, India is laying the foundation for a scalable laser defence ecosystem that will shape the future of next-generation warfare.

Final Thoughts: India’s Laser Vision for the Future

Sahastra Shakti reflects India’s capability and determination to lead in high-energy laser systems. By investing in Directed Energy Weapons, India is signalling its commitment to:

• Defending its borders with cutting-edge technology
• Reducing dependence on traditional missile systems
• Becoming a key player in shaping global military innovation

India isn’t just catching up. It’s setting the pace.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Sahastra Shakti?

Sahastra Shakti is India’s 30-kilowatt laser-based Directed Energy Weapon developed by DRDO to counter drones, UAVs, and optical surveillance threats using focused electromagnetic energy.

How does Sahastra Shakti compare to other global laser weapons?

Sahastra Shakti performs on par with systems like the U.S. Navy’s LaWS and Israel’s Iron Beam, offering similar power output, high accuracy, and a more cost-effective, portable solution ideal for border deployment.

What are the key advantages of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)?

• Speed of light engagement
• Pinpoint accuracy with zero collateral damage
• Extremely low cost-per-shot
• Scalable and sustainable for modern warfare

What is Project Surya?

Project Surya is an upcoming 300-kilowatt high-energy laser system from DRDO designed to intercept faster, higher-altitude threats such as cruise missiles, swarm drones, and hypersonic targets.

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