The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that there are currently no plans to fit defensive laser weapons directly to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, despite significant investment in directed-energy systems for the wider fleet.
In a written parliamentary answer, Lord Coaker said the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers were designed with adaptability in mind, “enabling capability upgrades throughout their service life.” He added that this flexibility “ensures the Royal Navy can integrate emerging technologies and maintain operational advantage,” but did not set out any plans to install laser systems on the carriers themselves.
Instead, the minister pointed to the Royal Navy’s broader approach to layered defence within the Carrier Strike Group. He confirmed that “a £316 million contract has been awarded to deliver the advanced DragonFire laser weapon system from 2027,” with the capability intended to augment Type 45 destroyers operating alongside the carriers.
Lord Coaker said the Royal Navy “remains committed to building combat mass while staying at the forefront of innovation,” stressing that DragonFire would “operate alongside the QEC carriers within the Carrier Strike Group, enhancing layered defence and future-proofing the fleet against evolving threats.”
Expected answer. The contract is for the T45s so far, and it’s better suited to a platform with a full combat system.
Maybe when it’s proven and can operate on its own then it can compliment the CIWS on the carrier.
QEC has a full combat system with 1850 and ARTISAN so I’m not sure if your point.
The reality is that installation has to start somewhere and it is pretty silly to roll out until the system is tested and spirals.
The last thing RN needs is the laser equivalent of Sea Mouse.
Lasers will develop quite rapidly in power and other ways and lasers are ideal for a carrier as there is zero FOD risk.
I agree, it’s more of an anti drone weapon at the moment, if such things are getting through to the carrier it would be very concerning. Rather see Martlet or similar if we are going to add extra Carrier capacity in last ditch defence or more gun systems and improve the escort capabilities. But then we know in the end it’s all really about finance.
Will add so as to clarify my view, I do agree with SB down the line such weaponry when proven, perfected and further developed will indeed be an option we should consider for the carriers just not at this stage.
Is it really about “finance”? You have four empty sponsons there designed to take something as simpke as the 30mm. There’s been at least four T23s withdrawn from.service so if you want something on the cheaps so there should be four sets of
refurbished 30mm to do both carriers? Would a couple of pairs of the latest 40mm cost the earth? We’re not talking missiles here…yet. Cannon could be very useful against drones.
The UK’s most expensive surface asset needs provision for laser weapons when next in refit to allow for urgent deployment if required.
Parliamentary questions and answers are often interesting, even the ones UKDJ don’t write articles about! Coaker didn’t exactly say there weren’t plans to fit Dragonfire to the carriers, he just talked about T45 and ignored the question.
In other questions today, there will be more news carrier COD and AAR drones in the DIP, with AAR specifically referenced for Project Vanquish.