This overview gives a brief historical overview of the Department of Laser Systems at FOI, along with a more detailed description of the recent research. The activities within the Laser Department are organized in four research areas: Lasers for remote sensing, Distributed laser sensor networks, Photonics and optical components, and, Modelling and simulation. Recent activities in our research include field studies of fiber hydrophones, test of an electronic nose in Kosovo, field tests of range gated viewing for target recognition, development of a compact multifunctional coherent laser radar, demonstration of an antisensor laser system (LYSA), development of a computer based laser radar model, field trial and data analysis of airborne and ground based laser scanning for synthetic environments and 3-D laser radar cross-section measurements. We are also studying laser warning devices and their role in the Defensive Aids Suite for different platforms. Free space laser communications is another area in which we are active, both in performance testing of commercial links and in development of new concepts. The department of laser systems also participated in a number of studies for precision engagement, DBA and under water mine warfare using new laser technology. An important new research area within photonic components is spatial light modulators for laser beam-steering, optical signal processing and adaptive optics.