PT PAL Indonesia Develops $1 Hand-Held Laser Weapon

Indonesia’s defense ministry has tested a hand-held directed-energy weapon developed by PT PAL Indonesia.

In an official statement, the company said the weapon was tested by Deputy Minister of Defense, Donny Ermawan Taufanto, during the shipnaming and launching of the Merah Putih-class frigate KRI Balaputradewa-322 on December 18.

The hand-held laser weapon has an adjustable firing range starting at 50m and extending up to 500m or more, depending on configuration. The system relies solely on electrical power, with a single laser shot consuming electricity costing less than Rp15,000 (<$1), making it a low-cost alternative to conventional weapons.