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Vekuva’s reading of The New Indian Express’s report
DRDO working on laser weapon pod for helicopters; development to be completed by 2029
By Javaria Rana||4 min read at The New Indian Express
In brief
Written by a model, not by The New Indian Express · not verifiedAI summary· Generated October 20, 2026
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a helicopter-mounted laser weapon pod to neutralise hostile drones, with completion expected by the end of 2029. The project involves CHESS and IRDE, with Hindustan Aeronautics' ALH Dhruv and Rudra as potential platforms. The article discusses the cost asymmetry of conventional air defence, the relevance of military helicopters, and India's continued import dependence for critical defence sub-systems.
This is an AI-estimated analysis and may not reflect the article's actual intent or the publisher's editorial position.
NEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has begun work on a helicopter-mounted laser weapon to neutralise hostile drones, with development scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029, sources in the defence establishment said.
Two DRDO laboratories are working on the project along with a private industry partner. The Hyderabad-based Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) is developing the laser directed-energy weapon (DEW) itself, while the Dehradun-based Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) is handling the stabilised gimballed pod that will house the sensors and direct the beam.
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