A Japanese defense agency confirmed to Newsweek that a high-energy laser system capable of shooting down drones is being installed on a ship for future at-sea trials.

Why It Matters

A laser is a directed energy weapon that uses energy, instead of shells or missiles, to strike targets, making it less expensive per shot and giving it virtually unlimited firing capacity, which can be effective in defending ships against large numbers of threats, as seen in the United States' recent combat in the Red Sea against Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Japan 's development of a shipborne laser and other game-changing weapons comes as it faces China's growing military strength, demonstrated in a September parade , while ties between the two nations have recently deteriorated sharply following Tok

See Full Page