Britain Signs £316 Million Deal for Laser Weapons for Royal Navy

The United Kingdom has signed a £316 million (approximately $413 million) contract with MBDA UK to supply DragonFire laser systems for the Royal Navy. 

This deal, announced by the British government, is part of a broader initiative to integrate advanced technologies into naval vessels to defend against potential drone threats.

The DragonFire laser system is remarkably cost-effective, with each shot priced at just £10, compared to traditional missile systems that can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds per launch. The system will be installed on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers by 2027.

DragonFire operates by directing an intense beam of infrared light at the target, using advanced sensors and tracking systems to maintain real-time accuracy and precision. According to the British government, the technology has already proven successful in shooting down high-speed drones during recent tests. In December 2024, the British Army also carried out successful trials of the laser weapon.

MBDA UK will develop DragonFire in collaboration with QinetiQ, a British defense technology company, and Leonardo, an Italian defense firm.