The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it is continuing to explore directed energy weapons across multiple domains, but has not disclosed any additional contracts for laser weapons beyond existing programmes such as DragonFire.
In a written answer to Conservative MP James Cartlidge, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns said the government was investing in Directed Energy Weapons to accelerate their development and support sovereign capability, but stopped short of confirming any new procurement activity since mid-2024.
He said the government was “investing in Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) to accelerate these capabilities into service, developing sovereign technology and systems to put the UK at the forefront of an emerging market and be an engine for growth.”
The response makes clear that funding announced earlier this month is directed primarily at research, development and incremental improvement rather than immediate acquisition. According to Carns, the investment is intended to ensure that UK capabilities benefit from “continuous improvement of the technology, systems, and sub-systems” through further research and development.
While DragonFire remains the most visible accelerated laser weapon programme, the minister said the work underway would “contribute to advanced future capabilities across laser and radio-frequency (RF) systems across all domains,” but stressed that these systems are expected to enter service “on a longer timescale.”
The answer also underlined the strategic framing of directed energy within wider defence policy, noting that directed energy has been “designated a frontier industry in the Defence Industrial Strategy.” This positions DEW as both a military capability priority and an industrial growth area.
However, Carns declined to provide detail on whether any contracts had been placed for additional laser systems, citing security and commercial sensitivities. He said that “we cannot comment on all contracts for security and commercial reasons,” while confirming that the MOD is “exploring DEW applications across many use cases, both within the MOD and with partners across Government.”
Future procurement intentions, including whether DragonFire will be complemented by additional laser systems, are expected to be addressed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Bit of a no brainer really. So that being said, it wont happen.
MoD not buying anything shock.
Wouldn’t It have been great to end the year with an actual order ?
something, anything ?
When Starmer announced the Increase in GDP spending, I thought he looked pained, like having a Diverticulosis attack (trust me, it’s painfull) he just looked like bursting into tears but so far, all we have got is a lot of bloody wind.
“I fart in your general direction”
“For God’s sake man, Go”
Baa humbug, paint me green and call me Grinch.
And another thing, Merry Christmas.
I’d rather quote Cromwell that Cameron. “I beseech you in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistaken.” They are all so scared of the political capital other parties will gain from a mind change that they can’t countenance one, even when they know in their hearts they are wrong. Let me add a quote from Keynes: “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” Unfortunately the answer always seems to be double down.
And another thing… Merry Christmas to you too.😊
At some point you need to start building weapons to test how well they go in the field.
Yes, limited rate production but they have to be produced.
Then spiral is possible.
Other than that it relies too much on simulations which may not provide the whole answer.
Or in plain simple English “We have lots of folks in nice uniforms, they have no Weapons, we told them Santa was going to get some; but he just ignored them. As we have no money and we need them to shut up all up over Xmas we told them are Window Shopping down at the “Shiny New Weapons showroom”, if a salesman approaches we just tell them we are only browsing !
Worked for my Dad when 1 got to big to sit in back of a Fiat 126 !
Bah Humbug 🎅🏻
Just promises as usual.
Other nations similar systems seem to have longer effective range. Is ours just making more modest claims? This is something we need to perfect & get into service ASAP.