Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC)

Intelligence Summary: LASTEC

Node Identity: LASTEC (Laser Science & Technology Centre) is a DRDO laboratory based in Delhi, categorized under the Research group in the India intelligence graph. It serves as the lead laboratory for the DURGA-II (Directionally Unrestricted Ray-Gun Array) program, India's classified 100 kW modular directed energy weapon system. LASTEC operates within DRDO's directed energy weapons ecosystem alongside sister laboratories CHESS (Hyderabad), MTRDC (Bangalore), and RCI (Hyderabad), each specializing in a distinct DEW modality.

Strategic Relevance: LASTEC is the institutional anchor for India's high-energy laser (HEL) weapons development pipeline. While CHESS delivered the near-operational 30 kW Mk-II(A) system, LASTEC is responsible for scaling to the 100 kW DURGA-II class — the threshold at which laser DEWs transition from counter-drone point defense to multi-domain offensive capability. DURGA-II is explicitly designed as a modular system deployable on fighters, naval destroyers, and armored vehicles, representing India's most ambitious platform-integrated laser weapon. The 300 kW Surya class, which evolves from DURGA-II, is described as 'the technological stepping stone for ground-based satellite neutralisers,' directly linking LASTEC's work to India's ASAT ambitions. This places LASTEC at the intersection of India's air defense, naval warfare, and space warfare modernization programs.

Technical Focus / Capabilities: LASTEC's DURGA-II program is notable for its multi-mode design — the system can operate using laser, microwave, or particle beam modalities, suggesting a broad directed energy research portfolio rather than a single-technology approach. The progression from 1 kW (2017, Chitradurga test at 250 m range) through 25 kW (2022) to the 100 kW DURGA-II target demonstrates a systematic power-scaling roadmap. The classified nature of DURGA-II limits open-source technical detail, but the modular architecture implies swappable effectors for different mission profiles. LASTEC's Delhi location places it in proximity to DRDO headquarters and the national security apparatus, facilitating high-level coordination.

Network Linkage: LASTEC maintains 2 documented connections: it leads the DURGA-II program, which in turn evolves to the Surya 300 kW class. Within the broader DRDO DEW ecosystem, LASTEC operates alongside CHESS (Mk-II(A) laser), MTRDC (HPM DEW), and RCI (E-bomb), with all four labs reporting to DRDO. The DURGA-II-to-Surya evolution chain connects LASTEC to India's ASAT capability roadmap alongside BARC's KALI-5000 program.