UK Official Avoids Confirming 2027 Timeline for DragonFire Lasers on Type 45 Destroyers
The UK Government has declined to confirm the 2027 timeline for installing DragonFire laser-directed energy weapons (LDEW) on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers, despite the timeline being stated in the Defence Investment Plan. In a parliamentary response on 20 July, Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed £490m investment in directed energy weapons but avoided directly answering a question about the Type 45 installation schedule, citing exploration of operational environments and lessons from the Middle East conflict. The DragonFire program began in 2017 and plans to equip four of six Type 45 destroyers, though integration details remain unclear. The article notes the government's pattern of opaque parliamentary responses and contrasts the official's evasion with industry statements and the published Defence Investment Plan that still lists the 2027 delivery date.
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