Laser weapons capable of shooting down drones will be fitted to military vehicles to help protect the UK from swarm attacks by terror groups or hostile nations, The Mail On Sunday can reveal.
Defence experts have said the laser-armed vehicles could guard airfields, sensitive locations such as GCHQ and other areas of critical national infrastructure.
Tanks, armoured personnel carriers and reconnaissance vehicles will be equipped with the lasers, which are designed to blast drones out of the sky from more than half a mile.
Details of the laser plans emerged as Britain begins ramping up its defence spending to counter threats from Russia and China.
After criticism from US President Donald Trump, the UK aims to spend 4.1 per cent of its GDP on defence by 2027, and 5 per cent by 2035.
At a Nato summit last week, Sir Keir Starmer said increased defence spending was vital to counter threats at home and abroad.
The lasers, known as direct energy weapons, fire an intense beam of infrared light, causing a target to heat up and explode.
They will be equipped with sensors capable of tracking drones to ensure the weapon remains locked-on to its target.
Laser weapons capable of shooting down drones will be fitted to military vehicles to help protect the UK from swarm attacks by terror groups or hostile nations
Defence experts have said the laser-armed vehicles could guard airfields, sensitive locations such as GCHQ and other areas of critical national infrastructure
Tanks, armoured personnel carriers and reconnaissance vehicles will be equipped with the lasers, which are designed to blast drones out of the sky from more than half a mile
Unlike conventional weapons, they strike at the speed of light and are virtually limitless in terms of ammunition.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Defence announced that it would invest £1 billion in lasers.
Details of the laser plan have been revealed by the MoD in a ‘preliminary market engagement notice’ to defence companies.
The document, seen by The Mail on Sunday, said the MoD was seeking a ‘laser direct energy weapon to destroy small unmanned air systems (drones) at ranges of 1km-plus’.
Col Philip Ingram (above), a former Army intelligence officer, said the lasers were vital for national security and ‘can’t come quickly enough’
It adds that ‘availability to deliver within 12 months ideally’ will be required.
Defence firms will have to demonstrate the capability of their systems as they bid for the £20 million contract. Earlier this month, the MoD also revealed plans to develop a fleet of drones capable of being launched from Transit vans.
Col Philip Ingram, a former Army intelligence officer, said the lasers were vital for national security and ‘can’t come quickly enough’.
The MoD said the laser weapons will be ‘created this decade’, adding: ‘Following the successful trial of a high-energy laser mounted to a Wolfhound armoured vehicle, we are engaging the market to help inform decisions on procurement.’
