The Defense Ministry is planning to conduct a field demonstration test of a prototype vehicle equipped with a laser system to destroy drones in Hokkaido from next February, informed sources have said.
In light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the ministry is rushing to develop such a vehicle to destroy and shoot down drones with heat from a laser, with this expected to be introduced to the Ground Self-Defense Force.
The development of anti-drone capabilities is included in the defense buildup program for fiscal 2023, which began in April of that year, to 2027 under the government's national security strategy.
The prototype vehicle was completed in October and was unveiled at a Self-Defense Forces inspection parade held at the GSDF's Asaka training field in Saitama Prefecture on Nov. 9, in the presence of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The prototype vehicle is based on an existing large GSDF vehicle and is equipped with a high-power laser and a system to automatically detect and track targets. It has the capability to shoot down a drone at a distance of more than 1 kilometer.
During the field test, likely to be held at the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency's Chitose test center and at a GSDF training area in Hokkaido, the ministry will verify the laser system's performance and safety under severe conditions, such as bad roads and harsh weather.
The prototype vehicle was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
According to the agency, ¥3.4 billion ($21.98 million) has been included in its budget request for fiscal 2025 for research on the laser system, which started in fiscal 2021.
The ministry aims to network the laser system with air defense command and control, as well as a drone response system using high-power microwaves.
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