France Launches Syderal Laser Weapon Project for Drone Defense

France’s defense procurement agency (DGA) has awarded a contract to a consortium of MBDA, Safran Electronics and Defense, Thales, and Cilas for the development of a laser weapon system demonstrator named Syderal.

This new project aims to test a new generation laser defense system for anti-drone combat and short-range air defense, with deployment expected by 2030.

The Syderal demonstrator will evaluate the effectiveness of high-energy laser technology in neutralizing tactical drones, mortar shells, rockets, and remotely operated munitions. With power in the tens of kilowatts, the new system will use combined and concentrated laser energy to disable targets, particularly drones.

Designed with a scalable and modular architecture, it will operate both day and night and remain compact relative to its intended power output. The consortium will focus on laser beam combining, high-precision automatic video tracking, and adaptive optics.

The Syderal program follows a 2024 notification that allocated €10 million to Lumibird and Cilas for the development of laser source technology. That earlier phase focused on producing multiple laser modules capable of combining into higher power output.

The DGA said that the current demonstrator is considered a stepping stone toward higher-power laser weapons designed to counter more complex threats such as missiles.