The defence and intelligence technology firm Raytheon UK has revealed its plans to build an "advanced laser integration centre” in Livingston, some 15 miles from Edinburgh.
The centre will focus on the testing, fielding and maintenance of defensive high-energy laser (HEL) weapons, that will counter the threat posed by drones, which has been highlighted by the use of this technology during combat in Ukraine.
The firm’s president of electronic warfare systems, Annabel Flores, told the BBC that “demand is spiking for cost-effective lasers” able to defeat “asymmetric” threats from drones, rockets and mortars.
Last year, Britain’s armed forces began trials using laser weapons designed by the company, which were small enough to be installed on UK Wolfhound land vehicles.
The invasion of Ukraine and subsequent armed confrontations between Russian and Ukrainian forces have demonstrated the success of small commercial drones, which have been used to direct...