Full Breakdown
South Korea Demonstrates Operational Laser Weapons Against Drones
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Demonstration
In mid-October, the Republic of Korea Army held its TIGER+ Future Warfare Integrated Combat Exercise. Two laser systems—Hanwha Systems’ stationary Cheongwang Block-I weapon and a 30-kilowatt (kW) vehicle-mounted high-energy laser—intercepted all three drone targets deployed during the live-fire event. The demonstration was attended by roughly 500 officials, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Kyu-ha, and was presented as a showcase for potential foreign buyers.
Background & Context
Hanwha Systems is the prototype contractor for Cheongwang, a laser weapon developed under South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD). The system entered operational service in December 2024 and, as of mid-2024, was installed at about five major government sites, such as the Ministry of National Defense building. Earlier, in September, Hanwha displayed Cheongwang at the 2026 Defense Drone Technology Exhibition, where the weapon downed several drones and larger unmanned aircraft. The mobile laser platform reflects concerns about inexpensive, surveillance-capable drones that have breached South Korean airspace.
Data & Statistics
- Laser power: Cheongwang is stationary; the mobile unit operates at 30 kW. Hanwha is developing a 50 kW laser-armed armored vehicle for export, with production targeted for the end of 2027.
- Cost per shot: Approximately 2,000 won per engagement (? US $1.45).
- Operational endurance: The systems draw only electrical power and can sustain continuous operation for up to 24 hours without ammunition resupply.
- Deployment footprint: By mid-2024, five Cheongwang units were deployed at key government facilities.
Official Statements & Responses
Hanwha Systems announced that the interceptions demonstrated the weapons’ ability to neutralize low-cost drones without expending conventional munitions, emphasizing cost-efficiency and the integration of phase-change cooling technology in the mobile 30 kW cannon. Army officials affirmed the exercise’s role in sharpening troops’ readiness for future battlefield environments that incorporate advanced air-defense assets.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We will target the global defense market based on our Cheongwang system and high-power laser weapon technologies,” — Shin Joo-hoon, head of Hanwha Systems’ Laser Business Center
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Cost per shot: Reports list the expense as $1.45 or $1.50; both figures stem from Hanwha statements.
- Spokesperson naming: The head of Hanwha’s Laser Business Center appears as Shin Joo-hoon in two sources and Shin Ju-hun in another, indicating a transliteration variation.
- Earlier demonstration outcomes: Some outlets say all four drones were downed at the September exhibition; others note only three were intercepted, with one crash attributed to strong gusts.
What’s Next
Hanwha is finalizing a prototype 50 kW laser-armed armored vehicle, with production slated for completion by the end of 2027. The company has displayed the model at the MSPO defense show in Poland and reports ongoing talks with prospective customers in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. South Korea’s 2027 defense budget proposal includes funding to develop a mobile Block-II version of Cheongwang, indicating continued governmental support for expanding laser-based air-defense capabilities.