DragonFire, a new laser defense system, has been successfully tested in the UK and proved its accuracy for taking down even fast-moving drones, with a contract now in place to provide the Royal Navy with the weapon.

The Royal Navy's rules of engagement have been changed in response to the Russian intelligence-gathering ship Yantar directing lasers at RAF pilots. According to Forces.news UK Defense Secretary John Healey said the vessel was currently positioned on the edge of British territorial waters and was being closely tracked by Royal Navy warships and RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft.

The HMS Prince of Wales has nearly returned from its months-long excursion to the Indo-Pacific—but British officials insist that the warship is still at full strength.

The UK has awarded MBDA a £316 million contract to field the DragonFire laser weapon on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers by 2027, five years ahead of schedule. -DragonFire has already shot down high-speed drones in trials and can reportedly hit a £1 coin at a kilometer for about £10 per shot—far

A Russian spy ship has used lasers for the first time to disrupt RAF pilots tracking its activity near UK waters, the defence secretary has said. John Healey told reporters the "deeply dangerous" move from the Yantar was being taken "extremely seriously" by the government.