Global laser weapons race accelerates as UAE deploys multiple systems from U.S., Israel, and China

The global race to deploy high-energy laser weapons has entered a new industrial phase, with multiple systems now operational in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On April 30, the Financial Times reported that Israel had sent a version of its 100 KW Iron Beam high-energy laser weapon to the UAE. The deployment aims to assist Abu Dhabi in countering hundreds of missiles and drones launched by Iran since the U.S. military launched Operation Epic Fury.

The Financial Times noted that this deployment is one of the first major defense cooperation efforts between Israel and the UAE since the 2020 Abraham Accords. A regional official described the move as a display of "the value of being Israel’s friend."

Publicly available data on Iron Beam’s performance in the UAE remains limited. However, on May 7, Defence Blog reported that a Chinese-made vehicle-mounted laser weapon had been spotted at Dubai International Airport. The system is tentatively identified as the Guangjian-21A, which was first displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2022. Neither Beijing nor Abu Dhabi has officially confirmed the system’s export or deployment.

The sudden appearance of laser weapons in the UAE aligns with the country’s broader strategy. The UAE has previously expressed interest in acquiring foreign directed-energy systems through direct sales, strategic partnerships, and indigenous research and development. However, neither the Israeli nor Chinese deployments mentioned a third system already in the UAE’s possession.

On April 15, a notification to the U.S. Congress revealed that the UAE had requested to purchase 10 counter-drone Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat Systems (FS-LIDS) from the U.S. Defense Department for $2.1 billion. Notably, the system’s command and control (C2) architecture is being designed to integrate an unnamed laser weapon "being purchased" by Abu Dhabi through direct commercial sales.

Three laser weapons. Two geopolitical blocs. One customer. This snapshot illustrates the current state of the global laser weapons race—a competitive, proliferating market where systems from rival powers coexist in the same inventory and operational theaters.

The laser weapon inflection point

In September 2025, an analysis highlighted that the world was approaching a critical inflection point in laser weapon development. This assessment followed a week of major milestones:

• China unveiled its LY-1 shipborne laser weapon at a military parade in Beijing.
• The United States delivered its first laser-armed Infantry Squad Vehicles to the U.S. Army.
• France ordered a new counter-drone laser demonstrator.
• India tested its Integrated Air Defence Weapon System with a directed-energy component.

The analysis concluded that the winner of the global laser weapon arms race would not hinge on technological superiority alone but on "who has the political will to make their directed energy dreams a reality."

If September 2025 marked an inflection point, then the UAE’s expanding laser weapon arsenal signals a broader global wave. This trend not only answers the question of political will but also raises new strategic considerations about how directed-energy weapons will reshape modern battlefields for years to come.