According to the UK Royal Navy, on November 20, 2025, the ‘DragonFire’ laser weapon system achieved a remarkable feat during a test at the Hebrides Range. It successfully obliterated multiple high-speed drones, which were traveling at a maximum speed of 650 kilometers per hour. This accomplishment marked the UK’s first beyond-visual-range interception.

The system is powered by solid-state fiber laser technology. It boasts a rated power of 50 kilowatts, with plans to enhance it to 100 kilowatts in the future. Impressively, each shot of this laser weapon costs a mere £10, a fraction of the expense associated with traditional missiles.

Equipped with a precision beam director and an adaptive optics system, the ‘DragonFire’ can accurately strike a target as small as a £1 coin from a distance of 1 kilometer. Moreover, it is impervious to electromagnetic interference, ensuring reliable performance in various operational environments.

The UK Ministry of Defence has made a substantial investment of nearly £1 billion in this cutting-edge technology. By 2027, there are plans to deploy the ‘DragonFire’ on Type 45 destroyers. It will serve as a valuable supplement to the existing air defense systems, bolstering the UK’s ability to counter drone threats effectively.