UK accelerates DragonFire laser weapon deployment to 2027 for Royal Navy

The UK Ministry of Defence has accelerated deployment of the DragonFire high-energy laser weapon to Royal Navy destroyers by five years, with installation now planned for 2027. The directed-energy system, capable of downing drones traveling at 400 miles per hour, costs approximately $13 per shot compared to hundreds of thousands of dollars for missile interceptors. The decision reflects mounting urgency to counter unmanned aerial vehicle threats, demonstrated extensively in Ukraine and Red Sea shipping attacks. DragonFire represents one of the first operational naval laser weapons among NATO allies, potentially influencing allied procurement strategies. The accelerated timeline follows successful land-based testing and addresses capability gaps as navies worldwide confront proliferating drone threats against surface vessels.