According to Yahoo News Japan on May 24, the Japan 2025 International Defense and Security Equipment Expo was held at the Makuhari Messe International Center in Chiba City from May 21 to 23. Kawasaki Heavy Industries unveiled the concept of shipborne high-power laser devices for the first time at the exhibition. The demonstration video shows the 100-kilowatt laser device mounted on the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis ship and the "Mogami" frigate, shooting down high-speed incoming drones.
In the field of anti-drone laser weapons, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has developed a 100-kilowatt high-power device, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been promoting the development of a 10-kilowatt vehicle-mounted type. This is the first time that Kawasaki Heavy Industries has publicly displayed the concept of shipborne laser weapons for Maritime Self-Defense Force ships.
According to a person in charge of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the company delivered a land-based laser weapon system to the Defense Equipment Agency two years ago, and the shipborne type is currently in the testing stage. The head of the company said in an interview with the Navy News website that it would take several years to complete the development of the shipborne high-power laser weapon system, and he looked forward to officially participating in the research and development project of the Defense Equipment Agency.
At the Japan International Defense and Security Equipment Expo held in March 2023, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries exhibited a 10-kilowatt laser device for the first time, which can successfully intercept drones 1.2 kilometers away.
According to reports, the Ministry of Defense has listed 18.3 billion yen (about 127 million US dollars) in the 2025 budget to promote the development of shipborne laser weapon systems. The Ministry of Defense explained in the budget data: "Japan will develop a shipborne high-power laser weapon system that adapts to the maritime environment and can respond to the threat of small drone clusters." In addition, the Ministry of Defense has listed another 3.4 billion yen in this year's budget to promote the research of vehicle-mounted laser devices. As of 2024, Japan has been promoting the development of vehicle-mounted laser devices, but the document points out that "research on the ability to respond to future air strike threats needs to be deepened."
The Ministry of Defense also included 800 million yen in the budget to promote research on high-power microwaves (HPM). Unlike linear attack lasers, microwaves spread out in a cone shape and can be used to deal with drone saturation attacks with a single irradiation. On the other hand, Japan will also assume that the enemy may change the frequency, etc., and take targeted countermeasures. Research in the microwave field has always been led by NEC. In July 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense reached an agreement to launch a six-year joint study on high-power microwave systems.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force is promoting the construction of two new Aegis system-equipped ships, and it is expected that the high-power laser weapon system will be installed after 2032. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build the first Aegis system-equipped ship, and the second will be built by Japan Maritime United Corporation (JMU), with the goal of serving in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
Given that the Kongo frigate is about to be retired, it can be assumed that its successor will also be equipped with the laser weapon system. At the exhibition, JMU unveiled for the first time the concept model of the successor ship code-named DDGX (total length of 170 meters). It is equipped with a laser weapon system on the upper part of the bridge, and one on each side of the rear deck, for a total of three laser devices.
Another concept model of the successor ship is comparable in size to a general-purpose frigate, with a total length of 150 meters, and is also equipped with a laser weapon system on the upper part of the bridge.
According to statistics from the Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense, in 2024, the Air Self-Defense Force carried out multiple emergency take-off interceptions against drones from neighboring countries, and the number of interceptions has increased sharply compared with previous years.
In view of the current status of Japan's anti-drone capabilities and the regional situation, Japan should accelerate the deployment of countermeasures such as high-power laser weapon systems to enhance its ability to deal with drone threats.
