1-20 of 630 results for subject:Lasers
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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, ff he will make it his Department’s policy to involve Ukraine in the DragonFire LDEW programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, ff he will make it his Department’s policy to involve Ukraine in the DragonFire LDEW programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 14 September 2026 to question 22834 on Defence Equipment: Cameras and Lasers, what specific equipment was due to be replaced within the Thermal Imaging camera and Laser Range Finder replacement programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 14 September 2026 to question 22834 on Defence Equipment: Cameras and Lasers, what specific equipment was due to be replaced within the Thermal Imaging camera and Laser Range Finder replacement programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the funding allocated in the Defence Investment Plan to Directed Energy Weapons will be spent on (a) laser-directed energy weapons, including DragonFire, and (b) Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the funding allocated in the Defence Investment Plan to Directed Energy Weapons will be spent on (a) laser-directed energy weapons, including DragonFire, and (b) Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons.
The £490 million allocated within the Defence Investment Plan for Directed Energy Weapons supports the development of both laser-directed energy weapons, including the DragonFire system, and Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons.
The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract valued at £316 million (excluding VAT) for the procurement of two DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon units. This contract forms part of the overall funding allocation for Directed Energy Weapons within the four-year Defence Investment Plan.
However, the Ministry does not disclose the precise breakdown of funding between individual Directed Energy Weapon technologies or programmes. This is to protect commercial interests and to ensure the Department's ability to secure value for money in future procurement activities is not compromised.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the expected saving on ammunition with the use of DragonFire.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the expected saving on ammunition with the use of DragonFire.
The financial savings in ammunition will depend on the operational employment of the capability.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the Pyrrhus Aeronautics Laser Aiming & Drone Remote System for future integration with individual weapon systems.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring the Pyrrhus Aeronautics Laser Aiming & Drone Remote System for future integration with individual weapon systems.
The Ministry of Defence has not conducted a specific assessment of the potential merits of procuring the Pyrrhus Aeronautics Laser Aiming and Drone Remote System for integration with individual weapon systems.
The Department continually reviews emerging technologies and innovative solutions, and future capability requirements may consider a range of options should an operational requirement emerge.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, Losses, if he will provide further information on the £8,332,000 constructive loss in relation to the Thermal imaging camera and laser range finder replacement programme termination.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, Losses, if he will provide further information on the £8,332,000 constructive loss in relation to the Thermal imaging camera and laser range finder replacement programme termination.
The Royal Navy continues to review all its programmes and to allocate funding appropriately based on operational requirements and value for money. Funding for some initiatives, such as the Thermal Imaging camera and Laser Range Finder replacement programme, has been repurposed to prioritise other projects across the service. The figure was calculated in accordance with Government accounting requirements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to adapt laser directed-energy weapons for use on autonomous vehicles.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to adapt laser directed-energy weapons for use on autonomous vehicles.
Recent conflicts in the Middle East have highlighted the growing threat posed by low-cost, massed drone attacks. Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) have the potential to provide a highly effective and cost-effective response to these threats, which is why the Ministry of Defence is investing £490 million over the next four years to bring these capabilities into service. DEW technologies have the potential to operate across a range of operational environments and roles. The Department continues to assess the most effective ways to deploy and integrate directed energy weapons across different environments and platforms to address threats and meet evolving military requirements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 93, what directed energy weapons are being developed in addition to DragonFire.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 93, what directed energy weapons are being developed in addition to DragonFire.
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) commits £490 million to Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) over the next four years. This investment will deliver DragonFire and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of this technology within NATO, while laying the groundwork for the next generation of DEW capabilities in collaboration with UK industry.
This forms part of a longer-term investment programme. The DIP also sets out plans to invest at least £20 billion in new weapons and munitions between 2030 and 2035, including DEW for both land and maritime platforms.
Further announcements on DEW will be made when appropriate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025, to question 79460 on UK Space Command, what is the name of the project for new detection technology to spot lasers that adversaries may use to dazzle satellites and intercept communications.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025, to question 79460 on UK Space Command, what is the name of the project for new detection technology to spot lasers that adversaries may use to dazzle satellites and intercept communications.
In order to maintain operational national security and protect our assets I am withholding the name of the project.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect directed energy weapons designed to combat low cost drones to be available to the UK armed forces.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect directed energy weapons designed to combat low cost drones to be available to the UK armed forces.
The UK Government is committed to accelerating the development and deployment of directed energy weapons to counter low-cost drones. The UK is a world leader in research on High-Energy Lasers and Radio Frequency weapons, working with key allies who share our mutual aims in this field. The first DragonFire high-energy laser system is due to be installed on a Type 45 destroyer in 2027, five years ahead of the original plan. This will make the UK the first European NATO nation to operationally deploy advanced laser directed energy technology.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Russian use of the Chinese Shennong Shield-3000 mobile high-energy laser directed energy weapon on Taskforce Kindred’s efforts to support Ukrainian armed forces via drone capability.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Russian use of the Chinese Shennong Shield-3000 mobile high-energy laser directed energy weapon on Taskforce Kindred’s efforts to support Ukrainian armed forces via drone capability.
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine on the sharing of knowledge and insights to ensure that our support meets Ukraine's priority requirements and that the Armed Forces of Ukraine is responding effectively to the evolving threat, including from drones and energy weapons.
Due to operational security, we do not comment on specific capabilities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down high-speed drones, published on 20 November 2025, by what date in 2027 he plans to fit Dragonfire to a Type-45 destroyer.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down high-speed drones, published on 20 November 2025, by what date in 2027 he plans to fit Dragonfire to a Type-45 destroyer.
Following successful demonstrator trials in 2025, the first DragonFire unit is on track for installation on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Due to the need to align installation plans with the operational commitments of the Type 45 fleet, the precise Type 45 destroyer DragonFire will be installed on will be announced in due course, due to operational considerations which I am sure the Hon. Gentleman will appreciate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down high-speed drones, published on 20 November 2025, which Type-45 destroyer is scheduled to be fitted with Dragonfire first.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down high-speed drones, published on 20 November 2025, which Type-45 destroyer is scheduled to be fitted with Dragonfire first.
Following successful demonstrator trials in 2025, the first DragonFire unit is on track for installation on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Due to the need to align installation plans with the operational commitments of the Type 45 fleet, the precise Type 45 destroyer DragonFire will be installed on will be announced in due course, due to operational considerations which I am sure the Hon. Gentleman will appreciate.
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to accelerate the development, testing, production and installation of DragonFire.
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to accelerate the development, testing, production and installation of DragonFire.
The UK Government is committed to accelerating the development, testing, production, and installation of the DragonFire high energy laser system. The UK remains on track to become the first European NATO nation to bring advanced laser directed energy technology into service. Two major periods of firing trials, conducted successfully in 2025, have been instrumental in advancing the system's readiness for service and operational capability.
In November 2025, the Ministry of Defence awarded a contract to MBDA for the delivery of the first two DragonFire units, with the first of these scheduled for installation on a Type 45 destroyer in 2027, five years earlier than originally planned. This programme exemplifies the MOD's commitment to supporting British technical excellence and rapidly integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance the capabilities of our Armed Forces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 118816 on HMS Dragon: Lasers, when the demonstration and evaluation phase for DragonFire will conclude.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 118816 on HMS Dragon: Lasers, when the demonstration and evaluation phase for DragonFire will conclude.
The DragonFire programme is being delivered through a new approach to procurement aimed at accelerating delivery timescales and providing the Royal Navy with novel capability sooner. This approach focuses on delivering a minimum deployable capability that can be further developed and enhanced over time.
Based on a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was selected for acceleration into service, leading to further trials to inform the design and development of a minimum deployable capability. We are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Beyond this, spiral development will allow for progressive improvement of the capability.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 118816 on HMS Dragon: Lasers, how many further phases will follow the demonstration and evaluation phase for the DragonFire.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 118816 on HMS Dragon: Lasers, how many further phases will follow the demonstration and evaluation phase for the DragonFire.
The DragonFire programme is being delivered through a new approach to procurement aimed at accelerating delivery timescales and providing the Royal Navy with novel capability sooner. This approach focuses on delivering a minimum deployable capability that can be further developed and enhanced over time.
Based on a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was selected for acceleration into service, leading to further trials to inform the design and development of a minimum deployable capability. We are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027. Beyond this, spiral development will allow for progressive improvement of the capability.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon.
DragonFire is a cutting-edge Laser Directed Energy Weapon system that remains in its demonstration and evaluation phase. Under current plans, the DragonFire system will commence delivery in 2027.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon for its deployment to Cyprus.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether DragonFire will be installed on HMS Dragon for its deployment to Cyprus.
As the Chief of Defence Staff has said, following Iran’s reckless retaliation, recommended last Tuesday that HMS Dragon should be deployed. Ministers then signed this off immediately.
HMS Dragon will be armed with the necessary available capabilities to meet the operational need and will remain in the region for as long as required to meet our objectives.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on developing cooperation with Australia on directed‑energy weapons.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on developing cooperation with Australia on directed‑energy weapons.
As part of the UK's ambition to accelerate the development and deployment of Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) we are engaging with key allies who share our mutual aims in this field. For reasons of national security, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the specifics of this cooperation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for publishing the Defence Investment Plan on the procurement of directed energy weapons.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his timetable for publishing the Defence Investment Plan on the procurement of directed energy weapons.
Defence continues to manage its capabilities and programmes to ensure they are not unnecessarily impacted or delayed whilst the upcoming Defence Investment Plan (DIP) is developed. The Department is working flat out to deliver the DIP, which will be published as soon as possible. The DIP is the first time in 18 years Defence has completed a single, comprehensive review of programmes and is backed by the Government’s largest sustained increase in defence investment since the end of the Cold War, spending £270 billion on defence in this Parliament alone.