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First image of Ukraine’s Tryzub laser system designed to counter drones and short-range threats.
At the “European Defense Industry: Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Industry” conference, the Ukrainian Armed Forces publicly presented, for the first time, official images of the prototype of the combat laser system named Tryzub.” In parallel, video footage was released on social media, particularly via the @front_ukrainian account on X, showing the successful blinding of an FPV drone using a directed energy beam. This directed-energy weapon, with undisclosed power specifications, represents a significant milestone in Ukraine’s efforts to develop indigenous technological defense capabilities amid the persistent threat posed by Russian attack drones and missiles. Named after the national trident symbol, the Tryzub reflects Ukraine’s intent to achieve technological sovereignty through the development of next-generation defense systems.
During its demonstration, the Tryzub revealed a development-phase architecture, with manual targeting via joystick despite the presence of an optronic station (Picture source: X Channel @front_ukrainian)
The system is reported to be capable of neutralizing attack drones, aerial bombs, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at a maximum range of 3,000 meters. It can also reportedly engage larger or faster targets such as helicopters, aircraft, and reconnaissance drones at up to 5,000 meters and blind optical sensors on such platforms within a 10-kilometer radius. During its demonstration, the Tryzub revealed a development-phase architecture, with manual targeting via joystick despite the presence of an optronic station. This manual control suggests future versions may include full automation—an essential step for meeting operational demands in high-intensity environments.
Initial unverified claims of the system’s use date back to December 2024. In February 2025, Ukrainian authorities confirmed the system had been in development for several months. According to General Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces, Ukraine is now among the few countries that have developed a functioning combat laser. He stated that the system is operational and will soon be scaled up and reinforced. He also mentioned it can engage targets flying at altitudes above 2,000 meters, with concrete results already observed.
In comparison with international benchmarks, Tryzub positions itself as Ukraine’s response to existing directed-energy systems such as the American LaWS, the British DragonFire, or Israel’s Iron Beam. With an engagement range of 3 to 5 kilometers depending on target type, and an optical blinding capability reaching 10 kilometers, Tryzub fits within a similar tactical spectrum. Nonetheless, doubts remain regarding its effectiveness against ballistic missiles, given the high speed of such projectiles and the time required for a laser to deliver sufficient energy to cause structural damage.
In the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the development of this technology addresses an urgent tactical need. Russia’s widespread use of low-cost loitering munitions, such as Iranian-made Shahed drones, makes the routine use of conventional surface-to-air missiles economically unsustainable. A laser system like Tryzub presents a potentially more cost-effective and sustainable solution for short-range air defense, particularly in urban, industrial, or logistical areas. Over the medium term, the program could drive the emergence of a domestic Ukrainian industrial sector focused on directed-energy weapons, with the potential development of mobile, miniaturized, or platform-integrated variants for land and maritime deployment.
Tryzub represents an important step in the technological evolution of the Ukrainian armed forces. Positioned as a national solution to low-altitude aerial threats, it could become a key component in counter-drone defense, provided its performance is validated in operational conditions. Its advancement will depend on rapid industrialization, automation of its targeting functions, and its integration into broader air defense systems. Ukraine has clearly stated its ambition to join the limited group of countries capable of producing and deploying operational laser weapons.