Ferocious lasers could be fitted to new Type 26 and 31 Royal Navy frigates to enhance "tactical flexibility"

The laser-directed energy weapon known as DragonFire may be installed on the Type 26 and 31 ships. Capable of zapping a £1 coin from a mile away, the weapon costs £10 to fire and hit drones out of the sky from three miles away.

These weapons are due to be fitted to the fleet Type 45 destroyers, but could now be expanded to the suite of frigates. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge asked what specific ships are being equipped with the technology.

Responding to a parliamentary written question, minister of defence readiness and industry said: “The Royal Navy sees the adoption of novel technologies as critical to delivering the lethality of the Hybrid Navy. DragonFire is a cutting-edge Laser Directed Energy Weapon system and the programme remains on schedule to commence delivery from 2027.

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“DragonFire is a modular capability providing the Royal Navy agility as to when and where it is deployed, therefore it is not possible to list specific ships into which the capability will be installed. The inclusion of the mission modules concept across the Hybrid Navy, which is already being delivered in the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates, provides maximum tactical flexibility as to where the Navy could deploy this weapon.”

The laser is designed to destroyer targets from up to 5km away. It’s projected to be a cost-effective alternative to missiles, with a ten-second burst costing roughly the same as running a domestic heater for an hour. Each time a Sea Viper missile is fired, it costs between £1m-£2m.

Sailors will also not run into ammunition problems if the system is used, and its power can also be controlled to either jam electrical sensors or destroy targets. It’s expected to be a complimentary system to missiles and other weapons.