Abstract: The threat of antiship missile against surface ships and the limitation of antimissile defensive systems of the surface ships being in service are analysed. From the analyses,we come to the conclusion that there is a limit to antimissile ability active shipbased defensive systems,the surface ships are faced with a serious threat of antiship missile, and are in great need of new defensive means and weapons in order to enhance its antimissile ability. On the basis of the presentation mentioned above, the main characteristics of highenergy laser weapons are analysed briefly, the possible application and role of highenergy laser weapons on surface ship are also discussed. It theoreitically shows that highenergy laser weapons are the potential shortrange antimissile defensive weapons, and are of an important role in the surface ships’shortrange antimissile defense, antisatellite and highresolution optical warning.