![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJJ64SZAUOCGZ2HPFRYVC4CXSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=dcd68fb7208affbfd5b9b164dc64fb74cd5916573d047a5b709035114ea89c03&width=400&height=225)
But, it will now be operational five years earlier than planned
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RGKXVVKV4XZEDFRVYZON623QHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fc2c7a72945517093bae5e9b5b6800add97a6b6e9a4b88b3ed5c514ada529635&width=400&height=225)
The DragonFire British military laser weapon system could be used on the frontline in Ukraine to take down Russian drones. All photos: PA Wire
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GO25B7JNCLJV2AQYOVH3YQONVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=00b77c23a399a7c38586d4d6637cfeea625e49a00b65cc97a065d97e131fcd86&width=400&height=225)
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested the weapon may be rushed into production
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIDJYKVJ6AIPDHMYDURJ54M65Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd399e4373b20a3274c796c281bc45c74942ca900e33d9c2a3870fa52438b778&width=400&height=225)
The UK is pushing for the DragonFire weapon to be ready for posting by 2027
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S25IDTEZBZSQRNOPYVWCIHI6OQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f7542e01d8004c3070f0340109cf472d850c75bf02cb0c91ab053053f28b31d&width=400&height=225)
That would have 'huge ramifications' for the conflict in Europe, Mr Shapps said
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UFV442AMUJA2LAPTLBUTUUKAMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=77148dcdcd73f75fc08c3fd87be0fc43f6cf4669ec2bd36fcdef2fcd2b03ba64&width=400&height=225)
The laser was originally expected to be rolled out in 2032
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJJ64SZAUOCGZ2HPFRYVC4CXSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=dcd68fb7208affbfd5b9b164dc64fb74cd5916573d047a5b709035114ea89c03&width=400&height=225)
But, it will now be operational five years earlier than planned
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RGKXVVKV4XZEDFRVYZON623QHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fc2c7a72945517093bae5e9b5b6800add97a6b6e9a4b88b3ed5c514ada529635&width=400&height=225)
The DragonFire British military laser weapon system could be used on the frontline in Ukraine to take down Russian drones. All photos: PA Wire
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GO25B7JNCLJV2AQYOVH3YQONVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=00b77c23a399a7c38586d4d6637cfeea625e49a00b65cc97a065d97e131fcd86&width=400&height=225)
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested the weapon may be rushed into production
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIDJYKVJ6AIPDHMYDURJ54M65Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=fd399e4373b20a3274c796c281bc45c74942ca900e33d9c2a3870fa52438b778&width=400&height=225)
The UK is pushing for the DragonFire weapon to be ready for posting by 2027
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S25IDTEZBZSQRNOPYVWCIHI6OQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f7542e01d8004c3070f0340109cf472d850c75bf02cb0c91ab053053f28b31d&width=400&height=225)
That would have 'huge ramifications' for the conflict in Europe, Mr Shapps said
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UFV442AMUJA2LAPTLBUTUUKAMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=77148dcdcd73f75fc08c3fd87be0fc43f6cf4669ec2bd36fcdef2fcd2b03ba64&width=400&height=225)
The laser was originally expected to be rolled out in 2032
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJJ64SZAUOCGZ2HPFRYVC4CXSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=dcd68fb7208affbfd5b9b164dc64fb74cd5916573d047a5b709035114ea89c03&width=400&height=225)
But, it will now be operational five years earlier than planned
New British military laser could have 'huge ramifications' for Ukraine conflict
Reforms to the procurement process mean it will now be operational five years earlier than planned
![Soraya Ebrahimi](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F3a8de609-3114-47b8-a918-4675f8892564.png?smart=true&auth=99aa3f707ed29ba80fedf7196862e82e6f35835fae44ca54f70c10dfba7c6b90&width=70&height=70)
Soraya Ebrahimi
11 April, 2024
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