With “Dragon Fire,” Ukraine could precisely repel Russian drone attacks during war. But as the situation on the front lines worsens, the delivery is likely to come too late.
Kiev - For more than two years, Ukraine has been fighting against Russia's invasion, which violates international law. While there are repeated reports of Ukrainian defense successes on the fronts, Ukrainian President Zelensky is worried about an expected Russian offensive in the summer. Especially because ammunition is becoming scarce on the fronts. The great hope: a delivery from Great Britain. The newly developed military laser “Dragonfire” is likely to give Ukraine significant advantages in the fight against Putin’s drones. But the laser weapon could come too late in the Ukraine war.
Precise, cheap and fast: “Dragon Fire” could give Ukraine advantages in the war against Russia
“Dragon Fire” is said to have the potential to “revolutionize” the battlefield. The weapon has been in development in the UK for over seven years, with its first successful test on an aerial target carried out in January. The drone destroyer should stand out above all because of its speed of light and precision. According to the UK Ministry of Defense, “Dragon Fire” manages to hit a £1 coin (about the size of a 50 cent coin) from a kilometer away. The laser weapon is actually not scheduled to be introduced until 2027. But like the US portal
Newsweek
reports, Ukraine hopes to be able to use the “Dragon Fire” sooner.
While Ukraine has achieved success in warfare with its drones, some of which they developed themselves, Russia is also increasingly relying on attacks using inexpensively produced disposable drones. With the weapon from Great Britain, Ukraine could better fend off these attacks. In addition, laser systems only rely on electricity - the ammunition cannot run out, as is currently the case on Ukrainian fronts.
Against Putin's drones: Great Britain is considering delivery of laser weapons to Ukraine before 2027
In addition, the laser weapon is significantly cheaper than shooting down drones with missiles, as is currently done in Ukraine. According to Great Britain, the operating costs per shot are around 11.60 euros. Compared to the thousands of euros spent on artillery shells, the weapon could come in handy for Ukrainians given the heavy financial burden of the war. Since Kiev has repeatedly expressed its desire to use the military laser in defense, Great Britain now wants to examine whether this is possible. Russia is now relying on new cruise missiles with longer ranges.
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said last week he wanted to "shorten the very lengthy process, which may take up to 10 years" and potentially make the weapon available to Ukraine for use at sea and on land. “Let’s say it wouldn’t have to be 100 percent perfect for the Ukrainians to maybe get access to it,” he says. The product is years ahead of other weapons, he added.
Ukraine hopes for “dragon fire” – but weapon could come too late to fight against Russia
Nevertheless, he emphasizes: The planned year for the first deployment in war zones is 2027. He will examine to what extent the process could be accelerated. Despite testing, the “Dragon Fire” laser could come too late for Ukraine. There are increasing indications of a large-scale Russian offensive in the summer, and the Ukrainian army fears serious setbacks and even a withdrawal from the front lines. It remains to be seen whether the laser weapon can change the course of the war so significantly by then. According to
Newsweek
, the US military has also been working
on similar weapons for years. Despite the successful elimination of drones in test runs, none of the weapons have yet been used in combat.