Lasers, guns and the risk of waiting for a complete solution

The laser-versus-gun analogy concerns defence against small drones and other inexpensive threats. Lasers offer an attractive solution on paper, but the criticism centres on the scientific and engineering work still needed to produce practical deployed systems. Waiting for that outcome can discourage fitting guns that would already provide adequate protection. The resulting gap leaves ships vulnerable while the preferred system remains unavailable. As with the escort programme, an available interim defence can matter more than the promised capability of a delayed system.