Why is it in the news?

• The DURGA-2 (Directionally Unrestricted Ray Gun Array) is a laser defence system prototype currently being tested by DRDO.

More about the news

• DURGA-2 utilizes focused energy in the form of lasers, microwaves, or particle beams to damage or destroy its targets.
• Similar systems are already possessed by countries like Russia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Israel, and China.
• The beams emitted by these systems are not affected by gravity or atmospheric drag, enhancing their effectiveness.

Advantages:

• Directed energy weapons, such as laser weapons, have the capability to neutralize threats such as drones or ballistic missiles swiftly, as they travel at the speed of light.
• These weapons can intercept threats both in the skies and at their point of origin, offering enhanced defence capabilities.
• Unlike conventional anti-aircraft or anti-missile systems, laser weapons like DURGA-2 promise a 100 percent kill probability, making them more reliable in countering aerial threats.