India, Sept. 19 -- Drone swarms have become one of the most pressing challenges in modern warfare. From Ukraine to the Middle East, inexpensive unmanned aircraft have tested the limits of even the world's most advanced air defense systems. Now, a new Australian innovation is offering a powerful alternative: Apollo, a high-energy laser weapon developed by Electro Optic Systems (EOS).

The Apollo laser has already been sold to an undisclosed NATO nation, and defense experts say it could reshape how militaries counter mass drone attacks, reported the New York Times.

The Apollo is a 100-kilowatt class laser, capable of surging up to 150 kW in practice. Designed to take down drones ranging from 20 lbs (9 kg) to 1,320 lbs (600 kg), it offers u...