The UK has taken a decisive step toward fielding its first operational laser directed energy weapon system, with defence technology leader QinetiQ playing a central role. The company has been awarded a £67 million contract as part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s £316 million investment in the DragonFire laser weapon programme. This funding enables QinetiQ to continue its unique work developing and manufacturing the high-power laser source, the very heart of the DragonFire system.
The announcement follows a series of highly successful trials at the QinetiQ-operated MOD Hebrides Range in late 2023, which validated the system’s pinpoint accuracy and effectiveness. The broader contract, awarded to the DragonFire partnership prime, MBDA, will see the first units delivered and integrated onto Royal Navy warships from 2027. These systems will augment the fleet’s existing air defence, offering a highly accurate, cost-effective solution against modern threats.
Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer at QinetiQ, stated: “We are proud of the vital role we continue to play in delivering Europe’s leading laser weapon technology to our warfighters. This contract is a testament to QinetiQ’s expertise in developing, testing and engineering novel and disruptive technologies at pace, and is a welcome milestone as industry and government work together to accelerate the adoption of laser directed energy weapons.”
Beyond the core laser technology, the contract leverages QinetiQ’s unparalleled expertise in the safe and rigorous testing of such advanced military capabilities, ensuring the system is robust and reliable for operational duty.
The DragonFire programme is also a significant contributor to UK skills and prosperity. It supports approximately 120 high-tech QinetiQ jobs, predominantly in the west and south of England, and sustains a nationwide supply chain of more than 100 UK companies. Of these suppliers, 50 are small and medium-sized enterprises, underlining the programme’s role in driving innovation and growth across the UK’s defence technology sector. This investment solidifies the UK’s position at the forefront of directed energy research and marks a crucial shift toward next-generation naval defence systems.
