ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy has taken a decisive step in modernizing its defensive capabilities by issuing a tender for high-energy laser systems, signaling a strategic pivot toward directed energy weapons to counter emerging asymmetric threats in maritime domains. Published on February 4, 2026, by the Directorate of Procurement (Navy), the tender seeks two 10 kW laser weapon systems along with associated radars for installation on surface combatants, with bids due by March 10, 2026. This initiative addresses the growing challenge of low-cost drone swarms and loitering munitions, which have proliferated in regional conflicts and pose significant risks to naval assets at minimal expense to adversaries.
The procurement reflects a broader recognition that traditional kinetic interceptors, such as surface-to-air missiles, are increasingly uneconomical against inexpensive unmanned threats. Each missile engagement can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, whereas laser systems offer a marginal cost per shot estimated between $1 and $10, providing what experts describe as an “infinite magazine” limited only by power supply and cooling capacity. In the Arabian Sea’s contested environment, where rapid, multi-directional aerial incursions are plausible, this cost-effectiveness ensures sustainable defense without depleting finite ammunition reserves during prolonged engagements.
Technically, the tender specifies 10 kW high-energy laser units scalable to 30 kW, capable of neutralizing targets within a 2.5 km radius in under five seconds through a hard-kill mechanism that delivers focused thermal energy to destroy or disable threats. The systems must feature 360-degree azimuth coverage and operate reliably in all weather conditions typical of maritime theaters, including high humidity, salt spray, and temperature fluctuations prevalent in the region. Such specifications underscore the Navy’s emphasis on robust, battle-proven performance to maintain operational effectiveness amid harsh environmental demands.
To guarantee reliability and maturity, the Pakistan Navy requires the laser systems to be operationally proven in other military forces, narrowing potential candidates to established platforms. Turkey’s Roketsan ALKA directed energy weapon, which combines laser and electromagnetic jamming for counter-unmanned aerial system roles, emerges as a strong contender given its demonstrated capabilities against drones. Similarly, China’s systems, such as variants related to the LW-30 or LY-1 high-energy lasers, align closely with the technical requirements and Pakistan’s existing defense partnerships, facilitating smoother integration and support.
Integration forms a critical aspect of the procurement, with demands for seamless connectivity to the host ship’s combat management system and main radar suite. This linkage enables real-time data sharing for threat detection and tracking, enhanced by AI-assisted image processing to achieve precise target acquisition and automated threat evaluation. Such advanced features reduce operator workload, shorten observe-orient-decide-act loops, and allow the fleet to respond swiftly to saturation attacks from multiple directions, bolstering overall readiness in high-threat scenarios.
The move aligns with global trends in naval warfare, where major powers are accelerating directed energy adoption for close-in defense. The United States Navy, for instance, has tested systems like HELIOS on destroyers, successfully neutralizing drones at sea, demonstrating the viability of lasers against unmanned threats while preserving kinetic weapons for larger targets. This convergence highlights how directed energy weapons complement traditional armaments, creating multi-layered defensive postures that enhance survivability without escalating costs disproportionately.
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In the regional context, the Pakistan Navy’s initiative responds to evolving threats in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, where drone proliferation could disrupt maritime security and trade routes. By investing in scalable, low-cost countermeasures, the Navy aims to deter asymmetric tactics and maintain strategic balance amid rising tensions. The tender’s short delivery timeline—within six months of contract award—indicates urgency to field these capabilities rapidly, potentially transforming fleet defense dynamics in the near term.
This procurement also reflects technological maturation in directed energy systems, transitioning from experimental prototypes to deployable assets. As power outputs increase and integration challenges are addressed, lasers promise to reshape naval engagements by offering speed-of-light response times and precision unmatched by conventional munitions. For Pakistan, adopting such innovations strengthens deterrence and operational flexibility in an era of hybrid maritime threats.
