Nero Industries Debuts GLD-466 Laser-Guided Drone at IDEF 2025 Offering a Cost-Effective Precision Strike Solution.

During IDEF 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye, Turkish defense firm Nero Industries presented its latest innovation, the GLD-466 laser-guided drone, a system poised to reshape tactical drone warfare. Designed for high-speed precision operations and equipped with advanced guidance technology, the GLD-466 has generated attention for its blend of affordability, reusability, and accuracy. In a landscape increasingly dominated by FPV drones and loitering munitions, this unveiling underscores the growing role of autonomous platforms in future conflicts. With its enhanced battlefield versatility and cost-effectiveness, the GLD-466 directly addresses a capability gap between man-portable systems and conventional guided munitions.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The strategic implications of the GLD-466 are significant. At a time when militaries are seeking cheaper, smarter strike options, Nero Industries delivers a tactical drone capable of saturating enemy defenses or disabling high-value targets without endangering operators (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The GLD-466 drone is an FPV (First-Person View) system optimized for high-speed, laser-guided strikes with a maximum speed of 160 km/h and a payload capacity of 6 kg. Utilizing laser beam riding technology, the drone ensures unmatched precision and is immune to jamming, making it an ideal platform for military, reconnaissance, and rapid strike applications. The platform is fully unmanned and capable of operating in harsh environmental conditions without requiring complex pilot training. Nero Industries developed this drone in three size variants, GLD-464, GLD-466, and GLD-468, with ranges extending from 3 to 5 km and payload capacities ranging from 2 to 8 kg, depending on the model. All variants feature plug-and-play compatibility with a 1064 nm laser designator.

The development of the GLD-466 is part of a broader shift in unmanned aerial warfare, where cost-effective, reusable systems are becoming central to tactical planning. While the GLD-466 was first announced in Nero Industries' 2022 technical literature, IDEF 2025 marks its official public showcase. Development likely accelerated due to lessons learned from FPV drone usage in Ukraine, where platforms like the UJ-22 and other DIY drones demonstrated the potential of precision-guided, expendable systems in attritional warfare. Nero Industries leveraged its prior experience in guidance modules and seeker technologies to integrate the laser beam rider into a rugged, fast-moving FPV body.

Compared to legacy systems such as the Javelin missile or Kornet-E, the GLD-466 offers a drastically lower price per unit, estimated between $7,000 and $14,000, making it not only a more accessible option but also one with lower logistical overhead. While the Javelin remains a superior anti-tank guided missile in terms of penetration and range, its cost of over $240,000 per shot renders it unsustainable for wide-scale use. The GLD-466, by contrast, is reusable, unmanned, and lighter. It provides direct targeting capabilities with similar battlefield effect in suppressive or high-value target scenarios at a fraction of the cost. The modularity of the GLD-466 allows it to launch various munitions, including 66mm mortars, RPGs, and grenades, increasing mission flexibility.

The strategic implications of the GLD-466 are significant. At a time when militaries are seeking cheaper, smarter strike options, Nero Industries delivers a tactical drone capable of saturating enemy defenses or disabling high-value targets without endangering operators. Türkiye’s indigenous drone ecosystem continues to mature, visible in the global success of Baykar's TB2, and the GLD-466 further reinforces the country’s position in the FPV segment. With its potential for swarming operations and precision guidance, the system contributes to shifting tactical doctrines away from reliance on expensive manned platforms or imported missile systems. If adopted in significant numbers, the GLD-466 could enable massed, high-speed attacks that overwhelm electronic defenses, particularly in contested zones such as Eastern Europe or the Middle East.

By revealing the GLD-466 at IDEF 2025, Nero Industries has delivered a compelling vision of the future battlefield: autonomous, affordable, and precise. The system fills a growing demand for high-performance, laser-guided FPV drones that can be deployed rapidly with minimal infrastructure. Its technical features and cost-efficiency position it as a critical enabler of next-generation drone warfare, offering both national and international forces an edge in asymmetrical engagements and precision strikes.