As reported by Mason on December 8, 2024, South Korea has initiated the deployment of the Laser-Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I, a stationary 20kW-class fiber laser system capable of neutralizing drones within a range of 2–3 kilometers, to frontline units and selected urban locations, including Seoul. Globally, laser systems like the British Dragonfire and Israeli Iron Beam remain under development, but South Korea is the first to announce large-scale production and deployment of such a system to complement its existing air defense layers against North Korean drones. However, deployment to the broader metropolitan area may face delays.
Developed since 2019 by Hanwha Aerospace in collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), the Laser-Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I, also known as Skylight or Cheongwang (天光), is a stationary 20kW-class fiber laser weapon designed to neutralize small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and multicopters within a range of 2–3 kilometers at an estimated firing cost of KRW 2,000 ($1.45) per shot. Production began in July 2024 under a KRW 100 billion ($72.5 million) contract signed in June, supervised by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). During live-fire tests in April 2023, the system achieved a 100% success rate against its intended targets. While effective against short-range threats such as drones and multicopters, Skylight is not designed to counter intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or high-output swarm drone attacks.
Future iterations of the Skylight system aim to expand its capabilities. The Block-II variant will be mobile, based on the K239 Multiple Rocket Launcher System chassis, offering increased range and power. The Block-III is envisioned to intercept larger threats, such as ballistic missiles and aircraft, through naval and aerial configurations with outputs exceeding 100kW. These upgrades are expected to strengthen South Korea’s layered air defense system.