DragonFire will be the first high-powered laser weapon to enter service from a European nation, with installation on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer scheduled for 2027. Alongside this, a new DEW will be developed for the British Army within this decade, contributing to a layered air defence network.
We’re investing nearly £1 billion into directed energy weapons and more than £4 billion in autonomous systems as part of our major £5 billion investment in UK defence innovation.
We’re boosting frontline capabilities while creating hundreds of skilled jobs across the country. pic.twitter.com/bgC9GdlrpS
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) June 3, 2025
The DEW systems promise to offer low-cost, sustainable alternatives to traditional missiles, capable of destroying aerial threats like drones at the speed of light. These weapons are designed to reduce collateral damage and dependency on expensive ammunition, while being adaptable across land, sea, and air operations.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “These investments will mean the most significant advance in UK defence technology in decades. We will ensure our Armed Forces have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.”
The funding will also generate 300 new high-skilled jobs across the UK defence sector, adding to the 200 already supported by existing DEW work. This aligns with the Government’s wider Plan for Change to drive national economic growth through defence innovation.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves stated: “A strong economy needs a strong national defence. That’s why we are delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War—putting innovation and industrial strength at the centre of our national security strategy.”
The SDR sets out a long-term path for transforming UK defence, focusing on lessons from the war in Ukraine and enhancing capabilities through digital warfare, drones, and data. It positions the UK to lead on innovation within NATO and supports a defence strategy that is secure at home and strong abroad.
