Defense Minister Grant Shepps revealed this development, highlighting the UK's proactive approach towards enhancing defense capabilities.
During his visit to the DragonFire laser weapons laboratory, Minister Shepps remarked on the significant investment in defense technologies, emphasizing the desire to expedite the traditionally lengthy deployment process. "What I aim to do is to shorten a process that might typically take up to a decade into a considerably reduced timeframe, with the intention of operationalizing it, possibly on naval vessels and on land," Shepps stated.
The minister disclosed that the UK intends to officially commission the DragonFire by 2027. Moreover, efforts are underway to ascertain the viability of providing Ukraine with prototype versions in the interim, acknowledging that these may not be fully finalized.
The announcement follows the UK's 2014 declaration of successful laser weapon trials against air targets, with March witnessing the showcase of DragonFire's capabilities. This move reflects the UK's commitment to advancing military technology and its support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts.
