UK confirms DragonFire laser for Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers by 2027

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed DragonFire laser systems will be fitted to Type 45 destroyers by 2027, ahead of schedule.

A £316 million contract to MBDA UK covers two production units, with plans referencing up to four ships by 2027.

Two 2025 firing campaigns at the Hebrides range validated the system, which downed drones at about 650 km/h and achieved above‑the‑horizon interceptions.

DragonFire is a 50 kW-class fiber‑combined laser that costs about £10 per shot in energy, far cheaper than Aster missiles.