India Unveils Laser Air Defense: DRDO's DURGA-II & Mk-II(A) to Revolutionize Drone Warfare

• DRDO is developing advanced laser-based air defense systems, DURGA-II and Mk-II(A), to counter modern drone and swarm attacks.
• These Directed Energy Weapons offer a cost-effective solution compared to expensive traditional missile systems like S-400 or Akash.
• Key advantages include near-zero cost per shot, unlimited firing capability (power-dependent), speed-of-light attack, and high precision.
• DURGA-II is a high-power strategic system (100+ kW), while Mk-II(A) is a tactical 30 kW system specifically for anti-drone operations.
• A laser-based weapon system was successfully tested in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, in April 2025, neutralizing fixed-wing drones.