Ukraine has unveiled an early prototype of its first homegrown laser weapon system, Tryzub. The debut, marked by a video released by the Ukraine’s Drone Forces, sparked cautious optimism.
But behind the flashy footage is a real, long-term breakthrough that experts say is the result of a titanic effort under extraordinary conditions.
“This is not fantasy or science fiction. What we’re seeing is the beginning of something real,” said Oleh Katkov, Editor-in-Chief of Defense Express, during a broadcast on Radio NV. “Yes, it’s an early prototype, but it already works. It can hit targets. That alone is a huge step.”
According to Katkov, developing such technology is not just about engineering — it’s about survival. Ukrainian defense developers are working in the middle of a war, often under the threat of direct strikes.
“Every patch of Ukrainian soil is under enemy aim. Especially defense enterprises,” Katkov stressed. “Creating something like this under those conditions is monumental.”
Currently, Tryzub can strike stationary targets. It lacks automatic tracking, which would allow it to follow and strike moving threats like cruise missiles or FPV drones in real time. But this limitation doesn’t undermine the achievement.
“We’re talking about a laser beam that needs to hold on a single point to burn through. That’s how it disables electronics or ignites a battery. If we can achieve that level of precision, the weapon becomes exponentially more effective,” Katkov explained.
Katkov says that similar systems in the West, like the UK’s Dragonfire, boast the ability to hold a laser beam just 2.5 cm wide on a target. Ukraine is not there yet, but the pathway is clear. Once an automatic tracking module is completed and integrated, Tryzub could move from early prototype to advanced testing.
As for the power supply, it remains a major hurdle. Global systems usually operate on fiber-optic lasers with outputs around 50 kW — a demanding requirement.
“We don’t know the specs of Tryzub yet,” Katkov admitted, “but judging by the effect shown, it’s already packing serious power.”
Despite excitement, Katkov advised managing expectations carefully: “Let’s not jump to conclusions. This is not a deployable city-defense system yet. It’s not ready to shoot down ballistic missiles tomorrow. But the laser exists. And that’s not just words — that’s video. That’s evidence.”
Katkov stated that Tryzub might not be ready for mass production today, but its reveal marks the start of something crucial.
“This is truly a titanic effort, especially under conditions where every inch of Ukrainian land is under enemy fire,” Katkov pointed.
Previously, it was reported that the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces have presented a new surface drone platform named “Alligator-9,” designed to counter naval threats and support multi-role maritime operations.
