The MBDA DragonFire is a laser directed energy weapon that can hit a target the size of a £1 coin from a kilometre away, costs only £10 a shot, and just successfully took down a high-speed drone during testing, says the British defence ministry | GIF: UK Ministry of Defence
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £316 million contract to MBDA UK to continue the development of the DragonFire laser weapon system and begin delivering units to the Royal Navy from 2027. The announcement follows recent tests at the MOD Hebrides range in which the system detected, tracked and destroyed high-speed drones, including what the MOD described as a UK first in above-the-horizon engagements.
According to the defence ministry, the drones used in the trial flew at speeds of up to 650 km/h. The government states that DragonFire represents a lower-cost engagement option compared to traditional missile systems. The programme forms part of commitments outlined in the UK Strategic Defence Review to bring directed-energy weapons into service.
The system is scheduled for installation on a Type 45 destroyer by 2027, five years earlier than originally planned. The defence ministry says the programme is expected to support 590 jobs across the UK, including roles in Scotland, the South West and the East of England.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said, “This high-power laser will see our Royal Navy at the leading edge of innovation in NATO, delivering a cutting-edge capability to help defend the UK and our allies in this new era of threat. We are delivering on our Strategic Defence Review by backing British industry and creating hundreds more jobs, making defence an engine for growth across the UK.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said, “This new £316 million contract award – and news that DragonFire has successfully taken down high-speed drones in the latest trials at the defence ministry’s Hebrides range – shows just how vital Scottish expertise is to the UK’s national security and why Scotland is globally recognised as a centre of defence excellence.”
MBDA UK will partner with QinetiQ and Leonardo for further development. Chris Allam, MBDA UK Managing Director, said, “This latest contract for DragonFire is another significant milestone. It allows us to continue with the next phase of the programme and re-affirms the UK’s intent to be at the forefront of laser directed energy weapons.”
Steve Wadey, Group CEO of QinetiQ, and Mark Stead, Leonardo UK SVP Radar and Advanced Targeting, also noted their companies’ roles in the programme’s development and testing.
The defence ministry said the laser weapon will continue to undergo improvement under a rapid procurement model in preparation for naval integration.
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