Official statements from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense or credible news outlets reporting on military engagements

Ukraine Unveils Tryzub Laser Weapon, Capable of Targeting Aircraft Over 2 Kilometers, Fifth Country with Such Capability

Dec 18, 2024, 02:35 PM

Ukraine has announced the successful deployment of its new laser weapon, named Tryzub (Trident), making it the fifth country globally to possess such technology. The weapon, developed by Ukraine's Drone Systems Unit, is capable of targeting airborne threats at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometers (approximately 1.2 miles). Colonel Vadym Sukharievskyi, the commander of Ukraine's Drone Forces, confirmed that the Tryzub surpasses the U.S. Laser Weapon System (LaWS), which has a range of 1.6 kilometers, and matches the UK's DragonFire, which operates at 55 kW. This advancement is expected to alter the dynamics of the ongoing conflict with Russia, particularly in countering aerial threats. The Tryzub laser weapon has reportedly been modeled after UK prototypes shared with Ukraine earlier this year.