South Korea: South Korea is set to commence mass production of a cost-effective laser weapon to intercept small drones during testing.
The laser weapon named Block-I, is designed to precisely target small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and multicopters at close range, according to a statement from the country’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
Each shot fired by the weapon is estimated to cost approximately 2,000 won ($1.50), significantly reducing operational expenses.
The image released by DAPA depicts a weapon system resembling the size of a shipping container, equipped with a mounted laser and a radar or tracking device on one side of the platform. The unit measures 9 meters by 3 meters by 3 meters (29.5 feet by 9.8 feet by 9.8 feet) and emits laser beams that are virtually undetectable before impact.
“It operates silently and invisibly, requiring only electrical power to function without the need for separate ammunition,” the DAPA statement highlighted. Future iterations of Block-I could potentially target larger threats such as aircraft and ballistic missiles, representing a significant advancement in military capability.
DAPA also announced plans to develop an enhanced version, Block-II, featuring improved output and range capabilities compared to Block-I.
The deployment of the Block-I laser weapon is crucial as the threat from inexpensive drones capable of disabling high-value military assets continues to grow in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East. Current defensive systems against such threats can cost tens of thousands of dollars per strike, making a low-cost alternative like Block-I a game-changing technology.
The development of Block-I took almost five years with an investment exceeding $63 million, led by the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses in collaboration with Hanwha Aerospace. It achieved a 100 percent success rate in live-fire tests conducted in April 2023, earning approval for combat readiness.
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