Laser weapons to control mobs?
The Defence Research Development Organisation is developing the use of laser broadbeam weapons that can help security forces in controlling violent mobs in states such as Jammu and Kashmir. DRDO officials said on Monday that the emission of a broadbeam can dazzle violent stone-pelting mobs which will be temporarily blinded by the flash of light. The lasers are being developed by the New Delhi-based Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC).
In fact, the hand-held laser gun version that will emit the broad beams could be sent to paramilitary forces for trials in a few months’ time. Laser weapons could also be mounted on vehicles for a longer range. The DRDO has given itself about 18 months to develop all variants of the broad-beam weapons. Laser technology can also be used for detection of suspects or terrorists hiding in buildings.
Defence laboratories across the country are preparing laser weapons, communication intelligence systems used or gathering intelligence at the borders and an assortment of radars including those that can detect mines.
The DRDO is also developing narrow laser beam weapons to knock out incoming missiles. “One need not drill a hole in an enemy missile. The laser just has to heat the skin of the missile to about 300 degrees Celsius and the warhead will detonate automatically,” an official said. Currently, the DRDO has prepared laser weapons that can destroy explosives.
The DRDO is also developing an integrated communication intelligence system that will be fully in place at all the borders of the country by December 2011. This will help in electronic gathering of intelligence and communication intercepts. Electronic warfare systems have already been prepared for the armed forces.
Radars either already developed or currently under development by the DRDO include low-level and high-level radars deployed in mountainous areas, ground-based radars to locate mines, maritime patrol radars, foliage-penetration radars, weapon-locating radars, coastal surveillance radars and aerostat radars for border surveillance. About 35 radars, including 10 static and 25 mobile radars, are likely to be in place for surveillance of coastal areas.
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