“It truly works, it truly exists,” he said, adding that efforts were being made to enhance the weapon’s scale and capabilities. “We can state that today Ukraine is, if I’m not mistaken, the fifth country that can say it has a laser weapon. “We are already able to shoot down planes at an altitude of more than 2 kilometers [ about 1.2 miles] with this laser.” Sukharevskyi added. The laser has been dubbed the ‘Tryzub’, which is Ukrainian for “trident,” a nod to the country’s national symbol representing independence, strength, and unity.
The laser air defense system uses directed-energy weapons to detect and destroy airborne threats such as drones, rockets and mortar shells. These systems offer several advantages over traditional missile interceptors, including lower costs per shot, unlimited firings, and reduced operational costs.
Only a few countries are understood to be in possession of laser weapons. One notable example is the Iron Beam system developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin. Another example is the AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System (LaWS) used by the US. China is also said to posess such a system, while the UK is also currently developing its own laser weapons system, called the DragonFire, which is set to be operational in 2027.
Sukharevskyi also discussed the development of “mother drones,” or “queen drones,” which carry two FPV (first-person view) light attack drones. These drones are capable of flying over 70 kilometers into enemy territory, serve as repeaters and hit deep targets. He described this innovation as a “breakthrough” in Ukraine’s drone technology.
The Unmanned Systems Forces established less than six months ago, already include combat and research units operating across air, land, and sea. Ukraine’s defense industry has gained momentum since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had also recently announced the serial production of Palianytsia, a lightweight missile-drone hybrid, further advancing Ukraine’s military capabilities.
