Ukraine has unveiled its latest defense innovation, the "Trident" laser weapon, which is capable of shooting down aircraft from over a mile away. This advancement marks Ukraine as one of the few countries globally to possess such cutting-edge laser weaponry.
The announcement was made by Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, during the Europe Defence Industry conference held this week. "It really works; it really exists," Sukharevskyi confirmed, emphasizing the operational readiness of the Trident system. He further stated, "We can state that today Ukraine is, if I’m not mistaken, the fifth country that can say it has a laser weapon."
The Trident, known locally as Tryzub, is named after the Ukrainian word for "trident," a symbol prominently featured on the national coat of arms, representing independence, strength, and unity. The laser weapon is reported to be capable of engaging targets at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometers (approximately 1.2 miles), making it a formidable tool in Ukraine's defense arsenal.
This development comes amid ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe, where Ukraine continues to face challenges from Russian advances. Former British Defence Minister Grant Shapps had earlier indicated that the UK's DragonFire laser prototype could potentially be deployed in Ukraine to counteract Russian drone threats. Shapps noted that advanced laser weapons could have "huge ramifications" in the ongoing conflict, which has persisted since February 2022.
The unveiling of the Trident laser weapon is seen as a strategic move by Ukraine to bolster its defense capabilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently made significant changes within the military leadership, including the dismissal of General Oleksandr Lutsenko, as part of efforts to adapt to the evolving battlefield dynamics.
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