New Delhi: The Indian Navy is seeking advanced directed-energy weapons (DEWs) and new technologies to counter the growing threat of low-cost enemy drones at sea. The plan includes laser weapons, high-power microwave systems, and other advanced technologies that could help warships defend themselves at a lower cost.
The Indian Navy is also focusing on developing these technologies in India to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. These plans are expected to receive attention at Swavlamban 2026, the Navy’s major innovation and indigenisation event scheduled for October 26 and 27 in New Delhi.
Why The Indian Navy Wants Laser Weapons
Modern naval warfare is changing rapidly. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly called drones, are becoming an important threat to warships and other military assets.
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Some hostile drones are relatively cheap to manufacture but can force a defending ship to use expensive missiles to stop them. This creates a major cost problem for naval forces.
According to the report, the Indian Navy is exploring directed-energy weapons to address this challenge and improve the protection of its ships against emerging drone threats.
The Cost Problem: Expensive Missiles Vs Cheap Drones
One of the biggest challenges in modern warfare is the difference between the cost of an attacking drone and the weapon used to destroy it.
The report highlights that a surface-to-air missile can cost around $2 million, while a mass-produced Shahed-type attack drone may cost approximately $50,000. Actual costs vary depending on the model, configuration and production arrangements.
This difference can make defending against repeated drone attacks financially difficult. If a warship has to launch expensive missiles against several low-cost drones, it may quickly use up valuable ammunition. Directed-energy weapons could offer another option for dealing with such threats.
How Indian Navy Laser Weapons Procurement Can Help
Directed-energy weapons use concentrated energy instead of traditional bullets or explosive warheads. High-energy laser weapons are one example of this technology.
A laser weapon directs a powerful beam towards a target. If enough energy reaches the target, it can damage or disable important parts of a drone.
Key Benefits Of Laser Weapons
- Lower Cost Per Engagement: After installation, the cost of firing a laser can be much lower than the cost of launching a missile, although the system still requires electricity, maintenance and other support.
- Rapid Engagement: Laser beams travel at the speed of light, allowing energy to reach a target almost immediately.
- Deep Ammunition Supply: A laser system does not need a separate missile for every engagement. Its firing capacity mainly depends on available power, cooling and operating conditions.
- Protection Against Drone Attacks: Laser weapons could help warships respond to hostile drones and other suitable aerial threats.
However, laser weapons also face challenges. Weather conditions, atmospheric disturbances, target movement and the need to maintain the beam on a target can affect their performance.
High-Power Microwave Weapons To Fight Drone Swarms
Alongside laser weapons, the Indian Navy is also interested in high-power microwave (HPM) systems.
These systems use powerful electromagnetic energy to interfere with or damage the electronic components of drones. Depending on the system and target, this may disable a drone without physically burning through its body.
How High-Power Microwave Weapons Work
High-power microwave weapons direct electromagnetic energy towards a target. The energy can affect electronic circuits, control systems and other sensitive components.
This technology could be particularly useful against groups of drones attacking together, often called drone swarms.
Unlike a conventional missile, which generally engages a particular target, a microwave system may affect multiple drones within its effective coverage area. Its actual effectiveness depends on the system’s design, range, target electronics and operating conditions.
The Indian Navy has previously included the development of a high-power microwave weapon system among its defence innovation challenges, showing its interest in this technology.
Indian Navy Focuses On Indigenous Defence Technology
The Indian Navy is not focusing only on laser and microwave weapons. It is also pursuing other advanced technologies to strengthen its future operational capabilities. According to the report, these areas include:
- Quantum Positioning Technology: Systems that could support navigation when conventional positioning signals are unavailable or unreliable.
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): Uncrewed underwater systems that can support surveillance, inspections and other naval missions.
- Advanced Proximity Fuses: Devices designed to trigger a warhead when it comes close to a target, rather than requiring a direct hit.
- Indigenous Ramjet Engines: Engine technology intended to support the development of advanced aerial platforms.
- Artificial Intelligence And Advanced Sensors: Technologies that can improve information processing, threat detection and operational decision-making.
The aim is to turn promising Indian-developed technologies into practical systems that can be used by the armed forces.
Swavlamban 2026: A Major Event For Naval Innovation
Swavlamban 2026 is the fifth edition of the Indian Navy’s flagship Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation seminar.
The event is scheduled for October 26 and 27, 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. It aims to connect the Navy’s operational requirements with the capabilities of Indian companies, start-ups, academic institutions and other innovators. [Source: Press Information Bureau]
What Will Swavlamban 2026 Focus On
The event will provide a platform to discuss technologies that could improve India’s maritime security and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing.
Key areas include maritime surveillance, counter-drone systems, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, safety systems and other emerging defence technologies. The event will also encourage collaboration between the armed forces and India’s domestic industrial ecosystem.
Start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), researchers and investors can contribute ideas, develop prototypes and explore ways to bring new technologies into production.
Read also: How Indian Army Could Protect Frontline Troops From Enemy Drones
FAQs
Directed-energy weapons are systems that use concentrated energy, such as laser beams or high-power microwaves, to damage, disable or disrupt targets. They could help the Indian Navy counter hostile drones and other suitable threats.
The Indian Navy is exploring laser weapons because they could engage suitable drone targets at a much lower cost per firing than conventional missiles. They also offer rapid engagement and do not require a separate missile for every target.
Swavlamban 2026 is the fifth edition of the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation seminar. It is scheduled for October 26 and 27, 2026, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, with a focus on indigenous defence technology and innovation.
