Turkish defense contractor Roketsan has introduced laser weapon concepts that incorporate artificial intelligence elements, as reported by TRT News. The discussions center on an energy weapon system known as ALKA, described as a guided, energy-based defense capability. ALKA is presented as a hybrid air defense solution that leverages both electromagnetic methods and laser technology to counter asymmetric threats. The system is depicted as having been designed with a tailored AI architecture that enables rapid decision-making in dynamic combat scenarios.
Available information indicates that ALKA can be deployed on armored vehicles and fixed installations. Its primary mission targets include unmanned aerial vehicles, while it also supports the remote detonation of explosive devices such as mines and improvised explosive devices. Reports suggest ALKA can jam signals at distances up to four kilometers and engage drones at ranges reaching one kilometer, offering both disruption and direct intercept capabilities in contested environments. The claims emphasize a multi-layered approach to defense, combining location-specific targeting with electronic warfare and precision interdiction, all coordinated through an AI-enabled control system.
In the broader context of laser-based energy weapons, there have been other notable tests and demonstrations. For instance, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has conducted trials of the DragonFire guided energy laser weapon system against air targets at the Hebridean Training Range in Scotland, marking a milestone in international experimentation with high-energy directed-energy weapons. The DragonFire program highlights how nations are evaluating the practical integration of laser energy with targeting and fire-control systems in realistic environments.
Meanwhile, developments in other regions show ongoing interest in countering aerial threats with autonomous or semi-autonomous systems. Reports from Russia have referenced the creation of a new drone suppression system aimed at enhancing capabilities to detect, deter, and neutralize hostile unmanned platforms. These efforts reflect a growing global emphasis on rapid-response, hard-kitting solutions that combine electronic warfare, directed energy, and conventional intercept methods to manage evolving airspace challenges.