Australia is taking a leading role in a major shift in global military technology, marking the start of an era similar to Star Wars-style combat. Canberra has developed a laser system that will play a crucial role in NATO’s defenses against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Defense experts believe this development could significantly change the future of armed conflict. This powerful laser, named “Apollo” after the Greek god of light, can neutralize up to 20 drones per minute. Its operational cost is only about $1 per shot, making it a much cheaper and faster option than traditional interceptor missiles or shells. This advancement comes at a time of rising tensions, particularly after recent UAV incursions into European airspace, which points to the urgent need for affordable aerial defense. Electro Optic Systems (EOS), the Australian company that created the technology, confirmed to the ABC that a NATO member in Western Europe has obtained it to boost its air defense.
EOS Chief Executive Andreas Schwer mentioned a notable change in warfare, especially evident in the conflict in Ukraine, due to the widespread use of drones. Schwer pointed out the economic reality: “A drone costs you $1,000, but a missile needed to kill that drone is $500,000.” This cost difference transforms the conflict into an increasingly economic war, necessitating the use of cheaper defensive options that align well with the laser system. The Apollo system achieves neutralization through “thermal destruction,” using electrical energy to project concentrated light onto a target. This energy quickly heats the drone until it melts, catches fire, or breaks apart. While the technology is groundbreaking, it does have limitations. Factors like humidity, rain, fog, or airborne particles can affect accuracy, and its effective range is limited. Additionally, lasers are generally more fragile than cannon-based systems and cannot target drones hidden by terrain or geography.
Justin Bronk, a senior researcher at The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted that the reality is a bit different from science fiction portrayals. The process is less about spectacular vaporization and more about silent thermal damage that causes the UAV to stop functioning or slow down. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have increased the global demand for rapid, affordable air defense solutions. The large number of battlefield and one-way attack drones used by Russia and Ukraine has raised awareness in Europe about the need for cheap, short-range systems to neutralize UAV threats. A NATO spokesperson confirmed the alliance’s dedication to investigating innovations to strengthen shared security, including new methods for defending against drones. The financial strain of supplying high-cost missiles, like those used by the US-made Patriot system, is becoming unsustainable, especially for allies supporting Ukraine. In contrast, the Apollo laser can engage up to 20 targets per minute at a range of 6 kilometers and can fire straight up—something many traditional weapons cannot do. Dr. Schwer predicts a growing need for this type of system. He stated, “More and more nations will feel they need these systems as a basic step to protect their critical infrastructure, like airports, air bases, and nuclear plants.” He stressed that the Ukrainian attacks have impacted multi-billion-dollar assets far away, sending a message to nations worldwide to safeguard their assets.
The Australian system has an estimated power output close to Israel’s upcoming 100-kilowatt Iron Beam laser, which is meant to support the Iron Dome missile defense. The undisclosed NATO buyer expects the delivery of this laser system, costing tens of millions of dollars each, within the next 18 months. Dr. Schwer mentioned strong global interest, with anticipated sales throughout Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Bulk orders could lower the cost per unit to less than $30 million, making it comparable to a modern main battle tank. EOS has a long history in directed energy, starting with a partnership with the American Strategic Defense Program in the 1980s. Today, it is the only entity outside the US that has developed ground-based lasers capable of neutralizing objects in space, including satellites. Dr. Schwer emphasized the strategic importance of this ability. The capacity to “blind or even disable those satellites permanently from the ground is becoming extremely important,” he stated, warning that controlling an enemy’s satellite fleet could be crucial in future conflicts, making advanced intelligence and communication systems useless.
