Apollo Micro Systems gets access to two Directed Energy Weapon Systems tech of DRDO

Apollo Micro Systems, a Hyderabad-based aerospace and defence firm, has secured Defence Research & Development Organisation approval to get access to Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) systems technologies from two DRDO entities.

The approvals are for two distinct transfers of technology (ToT) relating to Laser-based Directed Energy Weapon systems and EO Tracking System for DEW, subject to fulfilment of prescribed conditions, the company said on Monday (December 22). The announcement saw the company’s shares hit the 5% upper circuit at ₹249.70 apiece on the BSE in the first few hours of trading.

The technologies will enable it to design, manufacture, and support critical DEW subsystems for defence applications, enhancing indigenous capability in advanced weapon systems, Apollo Micro Systems said.

Sharing details of the ToTs received, in a filing to the exchange, Apollo Micro Systems said the first transfer of technology is for multi-channel 10 kW Laser DEW system from DRDO lab Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences (CHESS) in Hyderabad. The second ToT is for EO tracking system with EO sensors for DEW from DRDO lab Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun. On their strategic significance, for the company, it said the ToTs will strengthen its capabilities in DEW subsystems, including laser-based engagement systems and electro-optical tracking solutions.

Describing the receipt of two DRDO technology transfers as a significant milestone for the company, Managing Director Karunakar Reddy said “these technologies strengthen our ability to deliver indigenous, high-technology solutions aligned with national defence priorities.”

The company is developing critical anti-drone systems under the ‘Make’ category for the Indian Armed Forces, as part of which both soft-kill and hard-kill solutions, including rocket-based interceptors, are being developed to counter swarm drone threats. The DEW technologies received will serve as an additional capability, “complementing our ongoing development efforts, particularly in view of the rapidly evolving threat landscape posed by aerial systems,” he said.

Directed Energy Weapon systems use high-powered lasers to inflict damage on targets. Compared to traditional weapons, which primarily rely on physical impact and kinetic energy, DEW uses directed energy to heat up and destroy or damage the target. It has diverse military applications, offering rapid and precision strikes against threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles and small vehicles and can be used in all warfighting environments.