NATO's new 100kW laser weapon can destroy 20 drones per minute

Australia’s Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS) has secured a €71.4 million (A$125 million) contract to supply a 100kW high-energy laser weapon system designed to neutralize drone swarms for a European NATO member state. This marks the world’s first export order for a laser defense system of this class. The fully mobile, truck-mounted system can destroy up to 20 drones per minute using laser strikes that travel at the speed of light. It integrates advanced radar, threat detection, target acquisition, and beam-locking technologies to ensure precision and rapid response, with each laser shot costing less than ten cents. Manufacturing will occur at EOS’s Singapore facility, with delivery scheduled between 2025 and 2028. The system represents a significant advancement over traditional kinetic counter-drone solutions, addressing the growing threat of drone swarms that can overwhelm conventional air defenses. Developed through three years of rigorous field testing and live trials, the laser weapon maintains accuracy over long distances and