Spain will develop an anti-drone laser weapon.

The Spanish Ministry of Defense has approved the advancement of the Weapons Instrument Laser Demonstrator (DIAL), a system designed to counter RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems). This project, valued at approximately 11 million euros, will be initiated through a temporary collaboration between Indra and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering.

This partnership emerged under the auspices of the General Directorate of Armaments and Materials (DGAM). Over the ensuing four years, these two entities will collaborate to conceive an innovative laser system. According to Spanish sources, the project will unfold in multiple phases, concluding by December 2027.

DIAL signifies the Department of Defense's inaugural foray into laser weaponry development. The project is allocated a precise budget of 10,980,000 euros. While intricate details regarding the weapon's specifications remain undisclosed, the Annual Defense Contracting Plan (Pacdef) sheds some additional light on this ambitious endeavor.

The program outlined in this plan mirrors an existing initiative focused on crafting a 35kW anti-drone weapon. All indications suggest a correlation between this initiative and the DIAL project referenced in Pacdef.

Simultaneous with the announcement of this allocation, the Ministry of Defense published a document on the State Contracting Platform, fielding inquiries from involved companies. These inquiries affirmed the system's purpose as an anti-RPAS mechanism. In one response, the department clarified, "The document pertains to a prototype of a comprehensive anti-RPAS system."

According to the document, the prototype will encompass an electro-optical system, guidance mechanisms, a laser guidance system integrated into the laser subsystem for beam focus, and laser firing capabilities. Additionally, it will include a direction of fire to identify the target and its range, transmitting this information to the laser subsystem. Apart from systems reliant on a direct line of sight to the target, such as the direction of fire and output beam, the entire apparatus must fit within a designated shelter.

For years, global military forces have concentrated on developing weapon systems, from drones to missiles, aimed at redefining air defense strategies.

Consider the United States, where considerable investments have been directed toward this initiative. The US Navy has commenced equipping its vessels with laser cannons. Yet, it's not solely the military; major industry players are also advancing in this domain.

Collaboration stands as a critical element. For instance, Lockheed Martin of the US and Israel's Rafael are jointly crafting a laser air defense weapon. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, MBDA and Rheinmetall have partnered to devise a naval laser system for the German navy. These represent glimpses of the broader landscape.

Spain is also aligning with this agenda. The Spanish Navy has openly expressed its intent to integrate laser weapons for air defense into its forthcoming F-110 frigates. Over the past few years, the Ministry of Defense consistently allocated funds for research and development in this realm through the Coincident program, spearheaded by the Directorate General of Armaments and Materiel (DGAM). Currently, the Pulsed Laser Center in Salamanca explores various paths for creating directed energy weapons using high-power lasers.