Tech Desk: The Indian Navy is rapidly advancing its defense capabilities, prioritizing next-generation technologies like Directed-Energy Weapons (DEWs) to counter the escalating threat of inexpensive maritime drones. This strategic shift addresses a critical economic mismatch: firing multi-million dollar missiles against drones costing mere thousands is unsustainable, as highlighted by recent global conflicts.

DEWs, which utilize highly concentrated laser beams, offer a revolutionary solution. These systems can neutralize aerial targets at the speed of light, providing a cost-effective and virtually limitless magazine for warships, with each shot costing only a few dollars. This fundamentally alters the economic balance in favor of the defending vessel, protecting high-value assets from asymmetric attacks.

Beyond lasers, the Navy is aggressively seeking domestic innovations, including high-power microwave systems that can fry drone electronics, quantum positioning, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and indigenous ramjet engines. These technologies, alongside advanced ‘proximity fuses’ for counter-drone mechanisms, will be central to the upcoming ‘Swavlamban 2026’ seminar, fostering collaboration within India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem. This indigenization drive aims to build a self-reliant, future-proof maritime force capable of dominating emerging threats.