UK mulls over sending cutting-edge DragonFire laser to Ukraine for drone defense

The United Kingdom is exploring the possibility of supplying Ukraine with a prototype of the cutting-edge DragonFire laser weapon system to counteract drone and missile threats, according to British Defense Minister Grant Shapps in a report by The Daily Telegraph on April 12.

Shapps expressed a desire to fast-track the deployment of these high-tech weapons aboard naval vessels and on land, aiming to shorten the timeline significantly compared to current projections. The UK's defense strategy includes integrating DragonFire into its military arsenal by 2027, but efforts are underway to determine if earlier deployment to Ukraine is feasible, even with prototypes that may not be fully finalized.

Read also: Putin wants combat lasers, AI robots for Russian military

"I'm absolutely sure that what we have here is very special, and a level that other countries are unlikely to be able to replicate because it's so advanced," Shapps said. "The product itself is really innovative."

Inside DragonFire

DragonFire, a laser weapon capable of neutralizing drones and missiles, operates invisibly and silently. Its light wavelength, roughly one micron, eludes human vision and aligns closely with the infrared light spectrum.

With the ability to travel at light speed and an undisclosed range, DragonFire can instantaneously heat a metal surface to 3000C (5400F), creating plasma and penetrating aircraft fuselages and weapon casings within seconds.

Read also: British Ambassador Harris spends Good Friday in bunker amid Russian assault on Ukraine

The weapon's development was influenced by recent conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, highlighting drones as a pivotal element of contemporary warfare. The UK Ministry of Defense notes DragonFire's capacity to intercept objects surpassing the speed of ballistic missiles.

A standout feature of laser weaponry is cost-efficiency, with each discharge estimated at merely $12. The British Navy is slated to be the initial recipient of the DragonFire system, followed by ground-based deployments.

Read also:

• Britain announces new winter humanitarian aid package for Ukraine worth almost $50 million

• UK Foreign Secretary warns US Republicans about Putin's Ukraine propaganda

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine