Japan's Defense Ministry is set to trial laser systems designed to counter drone threats. This initiative aligns with the country's strategic defense plans to address emerging security challenges.
A drone of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) flies during a live fire exercise at East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba on May 26, 2024. Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images
Japan to Test Laser Systems to Counter Drones
Japan Times reports that the trial involves installing laser systems on vehicles operated by the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), including high-mobility vehicles used widely across various infantry units.
The Ministry has signed significant contracts to procure these lasers, including a ¥1.5 billion agreement with Kawasaki Heavy Industries for GSDF vehicles and a ¥1.9 billion deal with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for truck-mounted systems.
Additionally, a radar system from Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions, intended for drone detection, was secured in February.
By March 2026, the Ministry aims to develop a prototype of the laser system, which will then undergo rigorous testing to evaluate its effectiveness in tracking and destroying drones.
The initiative is part of Japan's broader defense buildup outlined in key national security documents for fiscal years 2023 to 2027, emphasizing enhanced anti-drone measures.
In March 2023, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries publicly showcased prototypes of their laser systems capable of neutralizing hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
At the time, Japan was dealing with concerns of potential Chinese drone swarm attacks near disputed territories like the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries officials noted that their counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) has been field-tested for two years on Tanegashima, illustrating its readiness for deployment on ground vehicles.
A Ministry official underscored the importance of leveraging advanced technologies from the private sector to expedite the introduction of the laser system, reflecting a strategic partnership between the government and industry.
Concurrently, the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency is conducting research on higher-quality laser systems, with findings shared across relevant divisions within the Ministry, including the GSDF.
This push for laser defense systems follows incidents where drones captured footage of significant naval assets.
Furthermore, the US, allied with Japan, is considering deploying drones in neighboring areas and aims to establish an overwhelming drone presence in the Taiwan Strait, a strategy China intends to counter with even larger drone swarms.
The Race for Laser Weapons
Globally, the race to develop laser weapons is intensifying. For instance, Israel's laser defense system, Magen or 'Light Shield,' is poised to enhance its air defense capabilities against rockets, drones, and other threats. This High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) of 100kW class exemplifies the potential of laser technology to offer a cost-effective and highly efficient defense solution.
Similarly, the Pentagon allocates approximately $1 billion annually to directed energy weapons research, focusing on countering drones and missiles through innovative technologies developed since the 1960s.
Meanwhile, Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in laser propulsion. By using lasers to create powerful underwater shockwaves, they can propel submarines at incredible speeds.
This new technology, called "underwater fiber laser-induced plasma detonation wave propulsion," generates as much thrust as a jet engine, using laser pulses emitted through optical fibers thinner than a human hair.
