The Hague (Agencies): Ukraine has reportedly deployed a laser-based anti-aircraft weapon, marking a significant milestone in modern warfare. The weapon, named “Tryzub” (Trident), is believed to be capable of targeting low-flying drones, including Iranian-made Shahed UAVs, according to Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces.
While details remain scarce, Sukharevskyi confirmed in an interview that the Tryzub laser weapon is already operational and has been used in combat. The system was first mentioned publicly in December 2024 at a defense industry conference in Kyiv and has since been referenced multiple times in Ukrainian media.
Ukraine’s government has remained tight-lipped, with Brave1, the country’s defense technology coordination platform, declining to provide further details. No images or independent verification of Tryzub’s battlefield effectiveness have surfaced, leaving questions about its capabilities and deployment status.
Laser weapons have long been considered a cost-effective solution for countering drone swarms and loitering munitions, which have been extensively used in the Ukraine war. Unlike traditional missile-based air defense, laser weapons eliminate threats without expending costly ammunition, making them a potentially game-changing technology.
Ukraine’s interest in high-energy laser weapons aligns with global trends. Nations such as Germany, Israel, the U.S., and South Korea have developed similar systems. South Korea’s Skylight laser system, which entered service in December 2024, has a reported range of 2–3 kilometers.
There has been speculation that Tryzub could be linked to the British “DragonFire” laser system, which the U.K. considered sending to Ukraine in early 2024. However, British defense firms involved in DragonFire have denied any connection, suggesting that Tryzub could be an independent Ukrainian development.
Ukraine’s extensive military-industrial base, inherited from the Soviet era, has rapidly adapted to wartime demands. In 2024 alone, over 600 new domestically developed weapon systems were approved, reflecting a surge in innovation.
If operational, Tryzub would make Ukraine one of the first countries to field a battlefield-ready laser weapon. However, key questions remain, including its range, power output, and reliability in real combat scenarios.
With both Ukraine and Russia investing in directed-energy weapons, the battlefield is evolving rapidly. Whether Tryzub is a one-off prototype or the start of a broader shift in warfare remains to be seen.