Laser weapons system takes down high-speed drones in landmark trial in Scottish Hebrides

Scotland’s defence sector has received a major boost after the UK Government confirmed a £316m contract for a laser weapon system, a project that will support 200 jobs across Scotland.

It comes after the ground-breaking laser weapon system DragonFire successfully shot down high-speed drones in trials at the Mo2D’s Hebrides range, marking a UK first.

The system tracked and destroyed targets travelling at speeds of up to 650km/h, demonstrating above-the-horizon capability in one of the most advanced tests of its kind.

The weapon will be fitted to a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer by 2027.

The investment is part of a wider programme supporting 590 jobs across the UK, but Scotland is set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries with 200 jobs created.

The weapon is set rolled out on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer by 2027. Supplied

Scotland at forefront of UK defence

Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander said the trials and the new funding highlight Scotland’s importance to the UK’s national security and defence innovation.

“This new £316m contract award, and news that DragonFire has successfully taken down high-speed drones in the latest trials at the MoD’s Hebrides range, shows just how vital Scottish expertise is to the UK’s national security and why Scotland is globally recognised as a centre of defence excellence,” he said.

“DragonFire is the latest in an impressive line of defence dividend wins for Scotland.

“The UK Government is transforming our defence sector into an even more powerful engine for growth because when we back our service personnel and Scottish industry, we keep ourselves and our allies secure whilst delivering skilled jobs and growth for communities and workers.”

DragonFire is accurate enough to hit a £1 coin from a kilometre away. Supplied

The Hebrides range, which hosted the latest tests, is one of the UK’s most advanced weapons-testing sites and a major Scottish defence asset.

DragonFire fires bursts costing just £10 per shot, a fraction of the cost of missile interceptors, which can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. It is accurate enough to hit a £1 coin from a kilometre away.

The laser weapon is being developed by MBDA UK, alongside partners QinetiQ and Leonardo, the latter having significant Scottish operations in Edinburgh, where many of the country’s 200 DragonFire-linked jobs are based.

UK defence minister Luke Pollard MP said the investment will place the UK at the forefront of NATO innovation.

“This high-power laser will see our Royal Navy at the leading edge of innovation in NATO, delivering a cutting-edge capability to help defend the UK and our allies in this new era of threat,” he said.

Industry leaders at MBDA, QinetiQ and Leonardo said the contract would accelerate Scottish and UK production of directed-energy weapons, an area in which Britain is becoming a European leader.

DragonFire is the first high-power laser weapon system entering service from any European nation and forms a key part of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, backed by almost £1bn of additional investment this Parliament.