Britain says Dragonfire is a cost-effective weapon.

The British Ministry of Defense on Monday released a video of its first laser weapon being tested. The high-powered laser, called DragonFire, is designed to knock drones out of the sky, according to the company. British Broadcasting Corporation. The ministry hopes the test will pave the way for the development of a low-cost missile alternative for shooting down targets such as drones. According to the Washington Post, the weapon is accurate enough to hit a coin from a kilometer away. British Broadcasting Corporation.

Watch the video:

DragonFire 🔥 is a new laser developed by @dstlmod For the 🇬🇧 army.

Watch its first high-powered shot at an aerial target.

👇👇👇https://t.co/D5sqIciICSpic.twitter.com/oI1xG9sK87

— Department of Defense 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 11, 2024

The weapon was tested in Scotland’s Hebridean Mountains in January. Following the successful test, Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said the technology could reduce “reliance on expensive munitions while also reducing the risk of collateral damage”.

DragonFire will be used by the Army and Royal Navy as part of their future air defense capabilities.

According to a UK government statement, the cost of firing a laser for 10 seconds is equivalent to using a heater for just an hour, “generally costing less than 10 pounds per shot”.

The UK Ministry of Defense has not revealed the maximum range of the weapon, but the military has said it can “attack any visible target”.

Paul Hollingshead, director of the UK’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory, said: “These tests take us a big step forward in recognizing the potential opportunities and understanding the threats of directed energy weapons.”

Britain has taken a major step toward adopting laser weapons, which the United States, Germany and Israel are exploring to eliminate drones and missiles from the sky.

Lasers have gained popularity as drones are increasingly used in wars around the world, as seen during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.