Indian navy ships to be fitted with Laser Dazzler to stop suspicious threats.

According to a press release published by the Indian Ministry of Defense, Indian company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract with the Indian Navy for the supply of 20 Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Dazzlers (Laser Dazzlers) in New Delhi, December 31, 2020.
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Laser dazzlers were used by the British Royal Navy warships during Falkland’s war of 1982. (Picture source Linkedin Dr. Anil K. Maini)

The Indian company BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited) had earlier December 200 won the contract beating global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in buy global category. These would be manufactured by BEL, Pune plant.

The Laser Dazzler is used as a non-lethal method for warning and stopping suspicious vehicles/boats/aircrafts/UAVs/pirates etc. from approaching secured areas during both day and night. It is capable of dazzle and thereby suppress the person’s/optical sensor’s action with disability glare in case of non-compliance to orders. It disorients/ confuse/blind a person temporarily. It also dazzles and distracts aircraft/UAVs. It is portable, shoulder operated, and ruggedized for military use in adverse environmental conditions. Laser dazzler technology was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Laser dazzlers are non-lethal weapons specifically designed for applications where subject vision impairment must be achieved at a specified distance in all ambient conditions including clear sunny day, twilight, and night. Laser dazzlers can be configured for a variety of configurations from handheld to weapon mountable to vehicle mountable.

This unique product is indigenously designed and developed for the first time for the Armed Forces. It will support the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

DRDO has developed various laser equipment that may be of use for Three Services and Police Forces for Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) operations. Laser Ordnance Disposal System (LORDS) and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) equipment have been developed for land forces.

Laser Cross Section Measurement and Imaging (LACSMI) technology is being developed for Naval applications. Laser dazzlers, Electro-optic Target Locater (OTL) and chemical, biological and explosive material detection equipment have been developed for counter LIC operations.