India Considering "Cheap Laser" to Fry Pakistan's Border Drones

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel on February 25-26, 2026, marking his second official trip to the nation. This historic visit includes a milestone address to the Knesset and underscores the rapidly deepening strategic partnership between New Delhi and Jerusalem. The core focus of this diplomatic mission is a massive upgrade in defense cooperation. The two nations are expected to sign a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding on security, shifting their relationship from a traditional buyer-seller dynamic to one of joint research, co-production, and advanced technology transfer.

A central pillar of these defense talks is India's strategic interest in acquiring Israel's cutting-edge "Iron Beam" air defense system. Recently inducted into the Israeli military, the Iron Beam is a 100-kilowatt high-energy laser weapon designed to neutralize drones, rockets, and mortars at the speed of light. Its most revolutionary feature is its extreme cost-effectiveness, neutralizing aerial threats for merely a few dollars per shot compared to expensive kinetic interceptors.

India plans to integrate this powerful laser technology into its indigenous "Sudarshan Chakra" multi-layered air defense shield. This integration aims to create an impenetrable defense grid capable of countering complex modern threats like drone swarms along its borders. The potential Iron Beam deal perfectly aligns with India's "Make in India" initiative by prioritizing localized manufacturing and shared innovation. Ultimately, this visit solidifies a formidable military alliance focused on technological superiority, border security, and long-term stability.