Ukraine unveils Tryzub: A new laser weapon to combat drones

The Tryzub system is one of the more enigmatic solutions developed by the Ukrainian defense industry in recent years. Although it was officially introduced only in 2024, work began much earlier—according to unofficial sources, at least since 2021. This system was developed in response to the growing threat from Russian drones, cruise missiles, and other airborne weaponry, which pose significant challenges to the Ukrainian army. It was developed by the Ukroboronprom consortium in collaboration with several Ukrainian technology companies and research institutes.

Tryzub is not a traditional air defense system. It is an integrated platform designed to detect, disrupt, and physically neutralize airborne targets. The system includes precise radars, optoelectronic sensors, and—most importantly—a laser combat system capable of intercepting and destroying targets using an energy beam. Although its full specifications remain secret, disclosed information indicates that Tryzub operates at short distances—up to a few miles—and is primarily intended for destroying low-flying drones.

Ukrainian industry media report that the system was tested in combat conditions by late 2023, and in 2024, the first units became operational—likely in areas particularly threatened by Russia's heavy use of drones, such as the outskirts of Dnieper, Zaporizhzhia, or Odessa. According to the manufacturer, Tryzub can operate almost continuously, provided it has a stable energy supply. It is a potentially revolutionary solution in combating inexpensive yet widely used Shahed-type kamikaze drones.

Laser systems, like the one used in Tryzub, work by concentrating energy into a very narrow beam capable of burning through a target's structural components, destroying its electronics, or causing an explosion in fractions of a second. Their most significant advantage is the nearly zero cost per "shot"—no need for a missile costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, just electrical energy. Experts estimate that a single "shot" of such a system costs only a few dollars. Additionally, this kind of weapon is difficult to disrupt or intercept and, when adequately scaled, can operate fully autonomously.

Tryzub is often compared to Israel's Iron Beam system, the laser counterpart to the Iron Dome. The latter is a good example of comparing the costs of using a laser beam versus traditional missiles for destroying aerial targets. As mentioned, the one-time use of a laser costs only a few dollars, whereas the estimated cost of a Tamir intercept missile, used in the Iron Dome air defense system, is $40,000 to $50,000.

It is important to note that both solutions were developed in response to similar threats: the mass use of inexpensive, hard-to-intercept drones and short-range missiles. The differences lie mainly in scale and technological sophistication—the Israelis have been developing Iron Beam for over a decade. In contrast, Tryzub is a project born out of wartime conditions, under the pressure of time and frontline needs. Despite this, the Ukrainian system is already garnering significant interest, domestically and internationally, as an example of how technology can alter the balance of power on the modern battlefield.