Ukraine has reportedly developed a laser air defense weapon system to shoot down Russian drones and missiles, according to statements by Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Speaking at the conference “European Defense Industry: Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Industry,” organized by the We Build Ukraine analysis center, Sukharevskyi said that Ukraine has a laser weapon called “Trident” and also mentioned the development of “mother” drones designed to carry and deploy FPV attack drones at longer ranges.
Ukrainian Laser Trident
Sukharevskyi stated that Ukraine has become one of the few countries in the world with operational capability in laser weapons.
«We can state that today Ukraine is, if I am not mistaken, the fifth country that can claim to have a laser. As of now, we can already shoot down aircraft at an altitude of over 2 km with this laser», said Colonel.
Sukharevskyi also indicated that the Unmanned Systems Forces are focused on scaling up and strengthening the “Trident” capability, stressing that “it really works, it really exists.”
No documentary evidence has yet been presented to support these claims.
The “mothership” drone
Sukharevskyi highlighted progress in the development of “mother” drones, unmanned aerial vehicles that function as launch platforms for multiple FPV-type light attack drones.
«Today we are using so-called ‘mother’ drones, FPV carriers, with a penetration depth of over 70 km. They carry 2 FPVs underneath them and effectively act as relays, striking enemy targets deep in their rear. In my opinion, this is truly a breakthrough,» said the Colonel.
The concept itself is not new and has been under study for some years. In fact, it is likely that the colonel is referring to the Dovbush T10v drone, which was recently tested in a “mothership” configuration for FPV kamikaze drones, increasing their range by acting as both a carrier and a signal repeater.
🇺🇦Dron ucraniano Dovbush T20 ha sido actualizado para poder llevar drones FPV sobre sus alas a modo dron nodriza. Puede llevar hasta 6 según el fabricante pic.twitter.com/lrRLvZ9OOz
— Drones de guerra (@dronesdeguerra) November 20, 2024
Unmanned Systems Force
The creation of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Force is relatively recent. It was established in February of this year by decree of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who constituted it as a new independent branch of the Armed Forces, separate from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
According to Sukharevskyi, the force already has combat units and scientific divisions that cover operations in the air, on land, and at sea. This structure allows the unit to quickly adapt to the demands of the battlefield, operating along the entire front line.
The deployment of unmanned systems, as well as their development and improvement, appears to be centralized within this specialized force. Its mission is not only focused on the offensive use of these systems, such as the «mother» drones, but also on defending against enemy unmanned threats. The deployment, development, and enhancement of unmanned systems seem to be concentrated within this specialized force.
The Unmanned Systems Force reflects a distinctly Ukrainian adaptation to the challenges posed by the Russian advance, with a focus on the efficient use of available resources. Its actions resemble a systematization of guerrilla or partisan warfare using drones, turning them into a force multiplier at a low cost. This approach allows Ukraine to strengthen its offensive and defensive capabilities against an enemy that is vastly superior in firepower and resources.
