The cutting-edge DragonFire laser will be installed on Royal Navy
warships for the first time from 2027 – far quicker than
previously envisaged thanks to new defence procurement model
which came into force this week.
Able to fire at any target visible in the air at around £10 a
shot and with an accuracy equivalent to hitting a pound coin from
a kilometre away, the powerful DragonFire weapon will
provide highly effective defence against drone and missile
threats.
Laser weapons were originally expected to be rolled out to UK
armed forces in 2032.
But under a raft of reforms to defence
procurement that came into effect this week and
prioritisation within Defence, the weapon will now be operational
around five years earlier than planned.
A key part of the new reforms is delivering a minimum deployable
capability quickly to personnel and finalising development once
in-service, ensuring that personnel can access the tools they
need for an evolving threat.
Under contract from Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
(Dstl), on behalf of the UK MOD, DragonFire has been developed in
collaboration with UK industry partners MBDA, Leonardo and
QinetiQ.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:
In a more dangerous world, our approach to procurement is
shifting with it. We need to be more urgent, more critical and
more global.
Our widespread reforms will deliver the latest kit and weaponry
for our Armed Forces faster and help identify export
opportunities that can boost the UK economy.
DragonFire shows the best of the UK at the forefront of military
technology, and we will not delay in getting it in the hands of
our military to face down the threats we're facing.
The reforms will ensure more consistent delivery for
the UK's Armed Forces, helping avoid previous challenges where
programmes have been over-complex, over-budget, and over time.
In addition to the minimum deployable capability, the new reforms
include:
- New checks and balances such as the UK Strategic
Command-based Integration Design Authority providing expert
advice on integration. This will improve coherence and avoid some
of the challenges faced in previous procurements.
- Greater empowerment of defence scientists, government export
leads, finance experts and industry partners to challenge and
shape proposals before they receive the go-ahead.
- The new model will set programmes up for success by
consulting a wide range of experts early in the acquisition
process. This will enable the MOD to take the right,
expert-informed decisions from the start, saving time later
on.
- Increased focus on exportability at the start of a new
programme, to prioritise developing kit that can be sold to
allies globally.
- Earlier engagement with the UK defence industry to ensure
quicker delivery of kit into the hands of our Armed Forces.
Laser-directed energy weapons can engage targets at the speed of
light and use an intense beam of light to cut through the target,
leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the
warhead is targeted.
DragonFire has the potential to be a long-term low-cost
alternative to certain tasks missiles currently carry out, such
as shooting down attack drones.Investing in this cutting edge
laser technology puts the UK at the forefront of defence
capabilities. Moreover, playing a significant part in reducing
the challenges faced by traditional stockpiles.
Dstl's Chief Executive Paul Hollinshead
said:
This is excellent news, and a real step forward in enabling
operational advantage at pace for UK Defence.
Dstl is all about preparing for the future and the DragonFire
technology is a great example of that.
Our scientists along with industry partners have worked
tirelessly to bring laser technology to where it is today, one
which I am proud to say is a UK sovereign capability.
The new procurement model approach is in addition to avoiding
competition between the military Services for programmes to be
approved and encouraging people to speak up in the face of
emerging challenges for delivery – a key recommendation of Clive
Sheldon KC's report into the AJAX programme.
DE&S, the MOD's procurement arm, has recently redesigned the
way it operates so it can get equipment into the hands of our
armed forces faster. Its new operating model features a
single-entry point which will engage with the military earlier in
the process, to help set up projects for success.
