DSEI Japan 2025: Japan's army tests laser system

The JGSDF is testing a mobile laser system (pictured) developed by Japan's ATLA in partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. (Janes/Oishee Majumdar)

The Japanese Ministry of Defense's (MoD's) Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) is developing a mobile laser system in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

An ATLA official told Janes at the DSEI Japan 2025 show being held in Chiba from 21 to 23 May that a prototype of this mobile laser system is currently being tested by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

This system uses a 10 kW laser. It has been developed to counter hostile small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the official said. The official declined to comment on the range of the laser weapon.

The laser system is integrated onto an 8×8 truck. The laser turret is on the top of the truck.

The official said that the JGSDF is expected to complete testing the laser system by March 2026.

In a video released on 14 May, ATLA said that this laser system uses a radar to detect UAV threats in all directions. Once a UAV is detected, a beam director on the top of the vehicle begins to track it. Following target confirmation, the operators shoot lasers against the UAV.

ATLA and MHI initiated the project to develop this laser system in 2021.

For more information, please see DSEI Japan 2023: Kawasaki Heavy Industries unveils high-energy laser C-UAS .