Laser Counter-Drone System Partnership Signals New Era for UK Critical Infrastructure Protection

Homeland June 8, 2026

Leading drone advisory firm Drone Major has announced an exclusive partnership with defence photonics company olee.space to bring a first-of-its-kind high-power laser counter-drone system to the UK, US and EU markets, in a move that has significant implications for both Critical National Infrastructure protection and the domestic defence supply chain.

The system, developed by olee.space and now exclusively licensed to Drone Major for integration and sale across those markets, uses high-power fibre lasers to detect, track and neutralise intruding drones at ranges of up to 6km, with a detection-to-neutralise time of under three seconds. At a cost of less than £1 per drone intercepted, it offers a transformative alternative to conventional air defence missiles, which can cost upwards of £150,000 per round.

Addressing a Critical Gap

The announcement comes at a moment of acute focus on drone threats across both military and civilian environments. Airports across Europe have faced growing disruption from drone incursions, while the conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to low-cost drone swarms that conventional air defences struggle to counter sustainably.

The laser system addresses that gap directly. Its non-kinetic approach produces zero collateral effect, making it safe to deploy near populated areas, fuel storage facilities and sensitive electronics. Unlike missile-based systems, it can engage multiple targets in rapid succession without the cost and logistical burden associated with expendable munitions.

The technology has been extensively field-tested by the Indian Armed Forces across desert, maritime, mountain and tropical environments, and validated in mobile configurations including integration with uncrewed ground vehicles, ships and helicopters.

Plug-and-Play Integration for Existing Infrastructure

Of particular relevance to procurement and systems integration specialists, the counter-drone system is designed to pair with any tracking and detection infrastructure already in the field. Compatible with radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, and multi-spectral systems, it operates as a versatile plug-and-play solution that can be layered onto existing sensor networks without requiring wholesale replacement of legacy infrastructure.

That interoperability significantly lowers the barrier to adoption for defence and security operators, making it an attractive option for site protection across airports, energy installations, armed forces bases, naval facilities and border security operations.

Supply Chain and Industrial Opportunity

James Solomon, Co-Founder of olee.space, highlighted the broader industrial implications of the partnership: “Our partnership with Drone Major will empower British SMEs and startups, allowing them to develop their own production capabilities and strengthen the UK’s supply chain resilience.”

Robert Garbett, Founder and Chief Executive of Drone Major, underlined the strategic ambition behind the deal: “The UK is home to exceptional talent and a wealth of innovative technologies, and the new partnership will drive the development of a sophisticated British drone and counter-drone industry, able to independently manufacture high-tech systems within the country.”

For the UK defence supply chain, the partnership represents a concrete example of the kind of sovereign capability development that the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy and the Strategic Defence Review have been calling for. Building domestic production capacity for advanced counter-drone systems, particularly those with proven operational credentials and broad integration compatibility, directly supports the ambition to reduce strategic dependency and grow the UK’s defence technology base.

With the Defence Investment Plan expected imminently and counter-drone capability firmly on the procurement agenda, Drone Major and olee.space’s partnership positions UK industry to be part of the solution at a moment when demand is accelerating.