The UK Ministry of Defence announced that its high-power laser system called DragonFire destroyed drones moving at speeds of over 400 miles per hour during tests conducted at the Hebrides range.
Following these successful results, the Ministry signed a £316 million contract with MBDA UK and stated that the system is planned to be installed on Type 45 destroyers starting from 2027.
Reportedly, the DragonFire system is intended as an alternative to expensive anti-aircraft missile systems and ensures the destruction of aerial targets using a “hard-kill” method. However, it is emphasized that the system's effectiveness depends on factors such as line-of-sight and a stable power supply.