Military forces face a huge challenge stopping swarms of drones. High-energy lasers might offer a smart and cheaper solution. Israel's Ministry of Defence and arms maker Rafael showcased their laser weapon, Iron Beam, which can destroy drones, rockets, and artillery shells. They say it already shot down several enemy drones. Laser weapons have been sought since lasers were invented in 1960 but only recently are becoming practical. "Lasers are the next step in air defence systems," said Iain Boyd from the University of Colorado Boulder. He explained that against thousands of cheap drones, expensive missiles don’t work well. Lasers could be the answer. This potential has sparked a gold rush in defense. Israel's Iron Beam project is worth $500 million. The US Navy contracted Lockheed Martin for ship-mounted laser systems. UK’s MBDA got a £316 million contract for its DragonFire laser, while France, Germany, and other European nations develop their own systems. Australian company Electro-Optical Systems (EOS) is also capturing big deals. EOS CEO Andreas Schwer said their laser comes from technology used in the US 'Star Wars' missile defense project of the 1980s. EOS won contracts with the Netherlands and South Korea to develop lasers shooting down drones. Europe’s drone threats in Ukraine and near borders have increased demand for laser defense. James Black from RAND Europe said laser tech is maturing and now deployed, but many countries still develop their own tech with no mass market yet. Lasers don’t rely on foreign suppliers, important for defense independence, especially in Europe. The US focuses on China, where drone swarms are less of a threat than in Europe. Early lasers used chemicals and were bulky. Modern solid-state lasers, using solid materials like fiber optics, are stronger and easier to handle. Yet, lasers can cause collateral damage if they miss, sometimes blinding people or hitting unintended targets. This danger was highlighted when a US laser test near El Paso caused airspace shutdown and airport chaos. Weather like rain and fog also reduces laser power, and the weapons can overheat, so they are best for defending key sites or ships rather than frontline combat. As Black said, "Lasers aren’t a silver bullet," but they are advancing and being integrated with other defense weapons. EOS aims to boost laser power to handle drone swarms better, targeting 50 kills per minute, ensuring no swarm can breach defenses. Lasers could soon shine bright as the guardians against drone threats worldwide.