Laser weapons could go on a range of platforms, MP told

Britain’s Ministry of Defence is assessing how directed-energy weapons could be integrated across land, maritime, airborne, and autonomous platforms. Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the government will invest £490 million over four years to bring the capabilities into service, primarily as a cost-effective response to low-cost massed drone attacks. Laser engagements may consume only a few pounds of electricity, but effective installations require substantial electrical generation, cooling, and suitable weather conditions. Those constraints favour ships initially and make vehicle integration more difficult; the ministry has not named specific platforms or published deployment dates.