South Korea Localizes Core Laser Oscillator for Cheongwang Anti-Drone Weapon

DAPA announced the successful domestic production of the laser oscillator used in the Cheongwang Block-I directed energy air defense system, raising the domestic component ratio from 76% to 90% by value. The new oscillator delivers over 50% improvement in output power, cutting drone intercept time from 2–4 seconds to 1–2 seconds. South Korea joins the US, Israel, China, and Germany as the only nations known to independently produce this strategically sensitive component.