Australia and Japan test Boobook laser weapon: First details revealed
Photo: Laser weapon installation (X /@AyumiFurukawa)
Australia and Japan have jointly developed and successfully tested the high-energy Boobook laser system for the first time. This is the first collaborative project of its kind between the two countries' defense sectors, according to the Australian Defense Ministry.
Where and how tests were conducted
Field tests of the system took place at the Cultana test range in South Australia and at the Edinburgh facility of the Defense Science and Technology Group (DSTG)—the Australian Department of Defense's primary research agency.
Boobook became the first joint development project between the Australian and Japanese defense industries, built on the DSTG's more than 20 years of experience in laser technology.
Mitsubishi Electric Australia and its Tokyo-based parent company, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, are also involved in the project. DSTG notes that the system is designed to enhance surveillance capabilities but did not disclose specific parameters regarding power, range, or other technical characteristics obtained during testing.
The project is being implemented following the May 4 agreement between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to expand defense and security cooperation between the two countries.
Investments and plans
"This project demonstrates close collaboration with Japan, to develop cutting-edge technologies that address real capability needs for the Australian Defence Force," says Australian Minister for Defense Industry Pat Conroy.
According to him, Boobook is more than just a technology project: it is a practical example of the growing defense-industrial partnership between Australia and Japan.
Mitsubishi Electric Australia is building a new plant in Rydalmere (New South Wales) for large-scale production of the system in Australia—an investment totaling $70 million.
The company announces that the facility will house the new MEA Defense Division and expand local access to Mitsubishi Electric's broader portfolio of defense technologies.
DSTG had previously conducted separate research and development in the field of high-energy lasers, including a 2023 agreement with QinetiQ Australia, which in 2025 yielded the first scaled-up prototype of a high-power laser optical path. The Australian government has not yet announced a timeline for the next phase of Boobook’s development or for the system’s entry into operational testing.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is also advancing its own laser weapon programs—the Office of the President has announced plans to achieve results in the development of ballistic and anti-missile weapons by 2026–2027. Japan's defense activities have also recently drawn attention for another reason: ISW analysts link Putin's recent visit to Iturup to the Kremlin's response to Japan's new Defense White Paper, which identifies Russia as one of the country's critical threats.
