What’s New
Ukraine has been deploying a new Tryzub (“Trident” in Ukrainian) laser capable of shooting down an aircraft, according to Interfax-Ukraine. Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the Tryzub laser can shoot down planes at an altitude just over 1.2 miles, and officials are currently working on improving the range.
Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for comment via email.
Ben Birchall/Associated Press
Why It Matters
Ukraine’s deployment of this new laser is significant as it is essential to its continued fight with Russia in innovation of weaponry. As the tension has escalated between the two countries and more long-range weapons have been deployed, Kyiv has had to come up with new ways to defend itself.
As well as the Tryzub laser, Sukharevsky noted that Ukraine is also developing “mother” drones that carry two first-person view drones underneath them, just one of numerous recent weapons developments. These new weapons enable Ukraine to employ different ways of fighting Moscow.
What To Know
As the word tryzub means “trident,” and a trident is part of the Ukrainian coat of arms, it is believed that the Tryzub laser was domestically produced.
Little is known about the specifics regarding the type and characteristics of the Tryzub weapon, according to the outlet Militarnyi. However, in April of this year, it is reported that the U.K. planned to send the first samples of the DragonFire laser air defense system to Ukraine.
Initially developed by U.K. companies MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, and QinetiQ Group in 2018, the DragonFire laser air defense system is a 50+ kW power laser system that continues to undergo testing. Former British Defense Minister Grant Shapps previously said that the DragonFire laser air defense system could potentially be used to strike down Russian drones, and it is expected to be deployed in 2027.
The Unmanned Systems Forces (UAS) was established less than six months ago and operates along the frontline in combat and scientific units that “cover the air, land, and water components,” according to Sukharevsky.
What People Are Saying
Sukharevsky said: “We can state that today Ukraine is, if I’m not mistaken, the fifth country that can say that it has a laser,” while speaking at the conference the “European Defense Industry Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Industry.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen how the Tryzub laser or any other laser air defense systems make an impact on the war with Russia, and what weapons Moscow will deploy to combat them.
