India's DRDO Unveils High-Power Microwave Directed Energy Weapon Prototype
India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled a high-power microwave directed energy weapon prototype designed to counter unmanned aircraft systems during the 2026 International Conference on Electronic Warfare. Developed by the Microwave Tube Research and Development Centre, the system can disable small UAVs at a range of 1 km, with plans for a target kill range of 5 km in future trials. Testing is anticipated to conclude by June 2026.
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India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) introduced a high-power microwave (HPM) directed energy weapon system on 20 January 2026, aimed at countering swarms of unmanned aircraft systems. The prototype, developed by the Microwave Tube Research and Development Centre (MTRDC) in Bangalore, was showcased during the 2026 International Conference on Electronic Warfare.
The HPM project started in 2019, and the system has successfully disabled small quadcopter UAVs at a range of 1 km, with a target kill range of 5 km set for future trials. The HPM DEW operates in the S-band frequency, with a peak power output of 450 MW and a pulse-width of 20 ns. Testing is expected to conclude by June 2026.
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