Australia and Japan have completed initial field trials of a jointly developed high-energy laser system named Boobook. Conducted at the Cultana Training Area and the Defence Science and Technology Group’s (DSTG) Edinburgh facility in South Australia, the tests mark the first industrial co-development effort between the two nations following two decades of laser research by DSTG.
According to Australia’s Department of Defence, the program combines resources from DSTG, Mitsubishi Electric Australia, and Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to bolster surveillance capabilities. While performance specifics such as range and power output were not disclosed, the initiative builds on a May 4 agreement between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aimed at expanding bilateral defense industry ties.
Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy stated that the collaboration serves as a practical demonstration of growing industrial links intended to meet operational requirements for the Australian Defence Force. To support future manufacturing, Mitsubishi Electric Australia is investing $70 million to build a facility in Rydalmere, New South Wales, which will house its new MEA Defence Division.
The Boobook project runs parallel to DSTG’s separate high-energy laser research, including a 2023 effort with QinetiQ Australia that produced a scalable high-power laser prototype demonstration in 2025. Officials have not released a timeline for Boobook’s next testing phase or potential operational deployment with defense forces.
