Britain plans to install its high-energy DragonFire laser weapon on its Type 45 destroyers by 2027, making it the first European power to deploy a laser on front-line naval ships.
The move marks a major shift in NATO maritime defense, sharply reducing engagement costs and reshaping how warships counter drones and incoming missiles.
The Royal Navy is preparing for what officials describe as a significant leap in shipboard air defense as the DragonFire system proceeds toward installation within the next three years. Senior UK defense officials say initial tests show the system can track and burn small targets at tactically relevant ranges, and program leaders expect integration to accelerate once electrical and cooling upgrades on the destroyers are completed.
If deployed on schedule, Britain will become the first European nation to field a high-power naval laser—an important milestone reflecting both operational demand and pressure to counter low-cost airborne threats.