South Korea to start production of laser gun system To Combat drones

South Korea will soon start producing a cutting-edge laser weapon system designed to neutralize enemy drones.

The Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced this after signing a contract with Hanwha Aerospace valued at approximately 100 billion won ($72.5 million), Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The laser weapon, slated for deployment later this year, will make South Korea the first country to operationalize such technology in its military. It targets and disables small UAVs and multicopters by emitting a fiber-optic laser beam.

The system can fire continuously with a supply of electricity, with each 10-20 second shot raising the temperature to over 700 degrees Celsius, incapacitating components like engines and batteries.

DAPA spokesperson Jo Yong-jin emphasized the system's cost-effectiveness, stating that its cost per shot is much lower than other guided weapons, making it efficient against low-cost strike assets like small drones.

Specific details about the weapon’s range and power remain undisclosed for security reasons, but Jo noted that the laser is invisible and silent, adding tactical advantages. Development of the laser weapon system began in 2019 with an investment of 87.1 billion won, and it was deemed combat-ready by April last year after successful live-fire tests.

The production phase aims to have the system deployed by the end of the year, addressing increased drone threats following the incursion of North Korean drones in December 2022. This capability is viewed as a crucial element of South Korea's national defence strategy.