Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Coverage of the French SYDERAL high-power laser demonstrator for anti-drone warfare and of the Helma-P laser weapon system during the 2025 Defense Innovation Forum (Forum Innovation Défense) in Paris.
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The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) awarded in August 2025 a contract to a consortium comprising MBDA, Safran Electronics and Defence, Thales and CILAS. It concerns the development of a demonstrator for a laser weapon system, known as SYDERAL (for Système Laser de Défense de Nouvelle Génération or New Generation Laser Defence System), intended for anti-drone warfare and short-range air defence, as part of the 2024-2030 military planning law.
The SYDERAL demonstrator will enable the effectiveness of the laser weapon to be assessed for neutralising tactical drones, rockets, mortar shells and remotely operated munitions, with a view to equipping the armed forces by 2030. The SYDERAL demonstrator, which has a power of "several dozens of kilowatts", will be a first step towards achieving very high power and being able to deal with more complex threats such as missiles.
The HELMA-P system was developed in collaboration between CILAS and Ariane Group. The development took place from 2017 to 2019. The system consists of a 2-axis turret with an array of optical sensors and the laser weapon itself, which has a power of 2 kilowatts. This turret is controlled by a single operator via a human-machine interface. It can reach targets up to 1 kilometer away. Three systems will be delivered to each branch of the French military in Q1 2026 (Army, Air Force and Navy).
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Coverage of the French SYDERAL high-power laser demonstrator for anti-drone warfare and of the Helma-P laser weapon system during the 2025 Defense Innovation Forum (Forum Innovation Défense) in Paris.
=====================
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) awarded in August 2025 a contract to a consortium comprising MBDA, Safran Electronics and Defence, Thales and CILAS. It concerns the development of a demonstrator for a laser weapon system, known as SYDERAL (for Système Laser de Défense de Nouvelle Génération or New Generation Laser Defence System), intended for anti-drone warfare and short-range air defence, as part of the 2024-2030 military planning law.
The SYDERAL demonstrator will enable the effectiveness of the laser weapon to be assessed for neutralising tactical drones, rockets, mortar shells and remotely operated munitions, with a view to equipping the armed forces by 2030. The SYDERAL demonstrator, which has a power of "several dozens of kilowatts", will be a first step towards achieving very high power and being able to deal with more complex threats such as missiles.
The HELMA-P system was developed in collaboration between CILAS and Ariane Group. The development took place from 2017 to 2019. The system consists of a 2-axis turret with an array of optical sensors and the laser weapon itself, which has a power of 2 kilowatts. This turret is controlled by a single operator via a human-machine interface. It can reach targets up to 1 kilometer away. Three systems will be delivered to each branch of the French military in Q1 2026 (Army, Air Force and Navy).
=====================
For new videos every week, subscribe here! youtube.com/c/NavalNews?sub_confirmation=1
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/navalnewscom
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/navalnews
Like us on Facebook: fb.me/navalnewscom
Check out our daily naval defense news coverage at: navalnews.com
NAVAL NEWS is fully focused on naval topics. We cover the latest naval defense shows & events. We also report on naval technology from all over the world. Navalnews.com is updated daily with in-depth features, industry, and naval forces news round-ups, event coverage, video reports and more. Our top of the line site is responsive across all mobile and desktop devices.
