The Royal Navy has ordered MBDA UK’s DragonFire laser system for £316 million, with anti-drone capability by 2027 and a firing cost of around £10.
Summary
The United Kingdom has awarded a £316 million contract to MBDA UK to supply the Royal Navy with the DragonFire directed energy laser system for naval defense against drones from 2027. This system offers extreme accuracy—enough to hit a £1 coin at 1 km—and an estimated firing cost of £10 per shot, compared to hundreds of thousands of pounds for a conventional missile. During tests in Scotland, DragonFire shot down drones traveling at speeds of up to 650 km/h. This is a major step forward for European directed energy weapons (DEW), particularly naval DEW.
The contract and its context
On November 20, 2025, the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced a £316 million contract for the delivery of the DragonFire system to the Royal Navy.
It is specified that the first installations will take place on a Type 45 Destroyer class destroyer in 2027, approximately five years ahead of the initial schedule.
This contract is part of the UK’s Strategic Defense Review, which provides for an additional £1 billion for directed energy weapons during the current parliamentary term.
Some key figures:
- Estimated cost per shot: £10 (~€11.5) according to the MoD.
- Speed of drones targeted during tests: up to 650 km/h.
- Claimed accuracy: capable of hitting a £1 coin (~23 mm) at 1 km.
This financial and technological aspect marks a turning point for British naval defense: the focus is on directed energy systems as a complementary weapon to traditional missiles.
DragonFire technology: how it works
The DragonFire system is being developed by a consortium led by MBDA UK in partnership with Leonardo UK and QinetiQ.
Technically, it is a high-energy laser (HEL) mounted on a turret, combined with multi-modal sensors (radar, optical/infrared), a guidance system, and power and cooling management adapted to naval constraints.
Some technical features:
- Type: Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).
- Estimated power: the demonstrator is said to be in the 50 kW class.
- Function: to destroy or neutralize aerial threats (drones, potentially missiles or terminal munitions) by heating, structural rupture, or targeted overheating.
- Cost per shot: very low estimate (£10) as no consumable missiles are used, only laser beams and electrical energy.
The operating logic is as follows: a radar/optical sensor detects and tracks an intruder, the control system directs the laser turret, the beam is maintained on the target long enough to cause damage, and the target is then neutralized. This process provides a virtually unlimited “magazine” as long as there is power and cooling, unlike missiles, which are consumable units.
Recent tests and demonstrated performance
Recent tests conducted at the Hebrides Range (Scotland) have confirmed the maturity of the technology. The program has passed several milestones:
- In January 2024, DragonFire successfully fired a high-power shot at an aerial target.
- In subsequent tests, it engaged drones at speeds of over 650 km/h, with an “above-the-horizon” (beyond direct visual horizon) tracking and engagement capability.
- The system is qualified as the first high-power laser to enter service in a European country.
These results are significant: on the one hand, speeds of 650 km/h are comparable to light aircraft, and on the other hand, engagement beyond the horizon requires sophisticated detection, tracking, and correction capabilities (radar sensors + optics + real-time processing). The ability to hit a tiny target (the size of a £1 coin) at a distance of 1 km attests to the extreme precision of the beam and guidance system.
Impact on the defense market and naval equipment
The announcement of the DragonFire contract has broad implications for the military market and ship configuration.
Economics of firing
The shift from a missile cost of sometimes > £1 million to £10 per shot is a game changer: it becomes viable to engage multiple low-cost threats (drones, large numbers of munitions) without depleting missile stocks or exploding costs.
Paradigm shift for layered defense
Ships such as the Type 45 already have defense systems such as the Sea Viper missile or point-defense guns. DragonFire does not replace these systems but complements them: it allows for the handling of saturating, fast-moving threats that are costly to intercept with missiles.
Market and export potential
The transition from demonstration to operational contract (£316 million) demonstrates the growing maturity of directed energy weapons in Europe. Other nations are following suit. This creates a potential market for similar systems and strengthens the competitiveness of MBDA UK and its partners.
Effects on ship design
Integrating a 50 kW laser onto a ship requires modifications: electrical capacity (generators, storage), cooling, integration into the combat management system, and protection against the maritime environment (spray, salt, weather conditions). These technical constraints are not trivial.
Strategic and military consequences
For the Royal Navy
The introduction of DragonFire provides the Royal Navy with a new, low-cost capability for defense against drones and asymmetric threats. Type 45 destroyers will be better armed to counter attacks by large numbers of drones, or even saturation munitions.
For British industry
The contract supports 590 jobs in the UK, including 200 in Scotland, 185 in the southwest of England, and 75 in the east. This contributes to the argument that defense is a driver of employment and technology.
For European military posture
By becoming the first European country to deploy an operational naval HEL, the UK is positioning itself as a leader in this field. This may encourage other NATO countries to accelerate their similar programs.
Risks and limitations
- Performance in real-world conditions (weather, rough seas, combat conditions) has yet to be demonstrated.
- Lasers remain line-of-sight weapons. Their effectiveness against stealthy or very fast targets (ballistic missiles) is limited.
- The total cost of integration into the fleet (power supply, cooling, maintenance) remains uncertain and could be high.
Implications for defense strategy
The ability to fire at very low cost changes the equation: a ship will be able to engage dozens of drones without prohibitive costs, which changes the way naval defense is conceived. It may also change deterrence: it becomes less costly to defend against light but numerous threats.
Looking ahead: prospects and extrapolations
Planned deployment
The system is scheduled to be implemented in 2027, with initial installation on a Type 45. According to some sources, four destroyers could be equipped by that date.
Towards other platforms
Beyond the navy, the technology could be adapted for land vehicles or aircraft. The consortium mentions future applications, which opens up a wider market.
Impact on adversaries and threats
The development of such lasers is forcing adversaries to rethink their tactics: cheap drones can no longer be taken lightly, and saturation can be countered at low cost. This may lead to changes in the threat: greater speed, stealth, and swarming.
Effects on the defense economy
With reduced firing costs, navies can allocate their missiles to more significant threats, while lasers take care of light and numerous targets. This may reduce operating costs in the long term.
Export and standardization issues
The fact that a European country is moving to operational status sets a benchmark for other navies. It is likely that the technology will be offered for export or adopt interoperable standards within NATO.
Critical assumptions to monitor
- The long-term lifespan, maintenance, and performance of the laser beam.
- Effectiveness in extreme conditions (sea fog, rain, rough seas) where a beam may be scattered or attenuated.
- Power supply and cooling capacity in a ship already loaded with systems.
- The overall cost of the system (acquisition + integration + maintenance) compared to a missile system.
The announcement of the contract for the DragonFire system marks a turning point for British naval defense and for European directed energy weapons. With an extremely low firing cost, high accuracy, and the ability to neutralize fast-moving drones, this system opens up new tactical and economic possibilities. However, the technological and logistical challenges remain significant: naval integration, real combat conditions, and operational maintenance. At the dawn of directed energy weapons, this first step could have a lasting impact on naval defense and the arms industry.
Sources
- “Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down high-speed drones,” MoD UK press release.
- “UK Royal Navy to equip MBDA’s drone-frying lasers by 2027,” DefenseNews.
- “Contract to deliver first laser weapons for the Royal Navy agreed,” Navy Lookout.
- Wikipedia article “DragonFire (weapon).”
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