08:59 02-05-2026

Russia Adds Laser Weapons and Interceptor Drones to Air Defense

Russia adds laser weapons and interceptor drones to air defense forces as drone swarms become a growing threat in modern warfare.

Several years ago, military analysts warned of a serious threat: the emergence of swarms of strike drones that traditional surface-to-air missile systems may not be able to counter effectively. The special military operation and the conflict in the Middle East have shown that this threat has already become a military reality.

One possible response is the use of weapons based on new physical principles, as well as interceptor drones designed to counter enemy UAVs. In this context, the Russian government’s decision to include interceptor drones and laser weapons in the alert forces protecting Russia’s state border in the airspace is especially significant.

Airspace protection is currently carried out by air defense troops within the Aerospace Forces, military air defense units, and air defense crews within BARS units, the country’s Combat Army Reserve. New counter-UAV systems may now be added to traditional weapons such as the S-400, S-500, Buk, Tor, and Pantsir systems.

The problem of low effectiveness of classic air defense systems against mass drone use was earlier analyzed by The New York Times using the war in the Middle East as an example. According to the publication, countering cheap drones costs the United States too much: defense is many times more expensive than attack.

Iran uses relatively cheap drones costing from $20,000 to $50,000 each, while much more expensive surface-to-air missiles are used to intercept them. In some cases, the cost ratio between attack and interception can reach 10:1, and in the worst scenarios, 60–70:1 in Iran’s favor. For example, a Patriot missile costs about $3 million. Electronic warfare systems are cheaper but remain less reliable. As the publication noted, the economics of such warfare currently works in Tehran’s favor.

It was earlier reported that Russia’s Rubikon drone center began mass use of Yolka interceptor drones against long-range AFU UAVs such as Lyuty and Leleka. Experts believe such anti-drones could become an effective tool for protecting the airspace from enemy UAVs.

Military expert Boris Rozhin, commenting on the inclusion of laser weapons and interceptor drones in the air defense system, said that a full-scale revolution in laser weapons is still ahead. At the same time, he noted that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are already accelerating the development of systems designed to counter drone swarms.

Rozhin believes that future drone warfare will develop specifically toward mass use of UAVs. Countering this will require not only a quantitative increase but also qualitative development of tactical and point air defense systems.