Royal Navy ships to be fitted with laser guns five years earlier than planned
Following successful tests earlier this year, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps hinted that the weapons could be sent to Ukraine.
Royal Navy vessels will be fitted with advanced laser weaponry within the next five years in a major boost to the service’s armoury.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the news in response to a written question by Shadow Secretary of State for Defence John Healey about when the new guns would be installed.
The UK Defence Journal reported that in response to Mr Healey’s question about the installation of the laser technology before 2023, Minister of State for Defence James Cartlidge confirmed the MOD had “committed to accelerating” the weapons.
He said that the new weapons would establish the Laser DEW’s effectiveness “across multiple vessels”.
Mr Cartlidge explained: “The MOD has committed to accelerating DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) into operational capability by equipping multiple Royal Navy vessels with DragonFire systems from 2027 and all systems planned to be operational by 2030.
“DragonFire systems will be installed on Navy platforms around five years faster than previously planned service dates and will establish Laser DEW capability across multiple vessels.”
According to reports, under the MOD’s plan, the Royal Navy will begin installing the new weapons onto ships in under three years and aims to have them all up and running by the year 2030.
The new groundbreaking weapons have been heralded by experts as potentially game-changing for the Royal Navy as it looks to strengthen and advance the armaments on its ships.
Speaking to the Express about the new weapons, defence expert at RAND Europe Steward Dee said the installation of these weapons on Royal Navy ships made perfect sense.
He explained: “Firstly, the Navy are on the effective frontline of the intended use case for the system in the Red Sea, engaging and destroying large numbers of cheap enemy drones currently through the use of expensive missile systems. (The Ministry of Defence claims that DragonFire can achieve high accuracy at £10 per shot).
“Secondly, given the high energy requirements of these systems, it makes logical sense to initially focus on integration on ships due to the presence of their energy-dense onboard propulsion systems.”
The Royal Navy’s Above Water Battlespace Head Captain Matt Ryder added: “We recognise this cutting-edge UK laser weapons technology as highly relevant and the need to accelerate it into service on board our ships at the earliest opportunity.”
DON'T MISS
UK clashes with Spain over Gibraltar after 'military manoeuvres' off coast [REPORT]
Daughter of Royal Navy D-Day hero Wilbert recalls the “longest day of his life' [INSIGHT]
UK to build six game-changing warships for Royal Marines [ANALYSIS]
As well as being of use to the Royal Navy, it is believed that the new laser weaponry, developed in conjunction with the MOD and its industry partners, could be effective on land too.
In a statement, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionise the battlespace by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition, while also lowering the risk of collateral damage.”
Speaking to reporters at a visit to Porton Down last month, Mr Shapps also hinted that the technology could be useful in Ukraine’s war against Russia.
He explained: “Let's say that it didn't have to be 100 percent perfect in order for Ukrainians perhaps to get their hands on it.”