Japan has successfully tested a powerful 100-kilowatt laser weapon capable of cutting through metal and destroying drones mid-flight, marking a major step in directed-energy warfare.

 

 

Japan has successfully tested a powerful 100-kilowatt laser weapon capable of cutting through metal and destroying drones mid-flight, marking a major step in directed-energy warfare.

The system has been installed on a 6,200-ton Japanese warship and combines ten 10kW lasers into a single focused beam strong enough to burn through metal surfaces.

 

The weapon is designed to counter drones, mortar rounds, and other lightweight airborne threats. Officials say it offers an “unlimited magazine” with a much lower cost per shot than traditional air-defence systems, with electricity being the only constraint.

Sea trials scheduled after February 27, 2026, will test its performance in harsh maritime conditions such as wind and moisture. With this development, Japan joins the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in advancing laser-based weapons technology.