Laser systems designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles have already demonstrated strong performance and could significantly influence the future development of Russia’s defense-industrial sector, according to a representative of the Svarog Research and Production Center.

The specialist told TASS that such systems could change how the entire military industry approaches the development and deployment of new technology.

As an example of how rapidly effective solutions can be adopted, the representative pointed to the Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky drones, which are controlled through fiber-optic cables. These aircraft proved more effective than radio-controlled models. Once their performance was demonstrated in combat and their economic benefits were assessed, development in this field accelerated sharply.

The Svarog representative said laser weapons for destroying drones were following a similar path. Their capabilities have already been confirmed in practice, while specialists have calculated the economic advantages of using such systems.

He expressed confidence that Russian agencies would make appropriate decisions on developing laser technology and other advanced methods of countering unmanned aircraft.

The expert also noted that the economics of warfare have changed considerably in recent years. At the beginning of the special military operation, FPV drones were not viewed as a major weapon. They later proved capable of destroying tanks worth several million dollars despite costing only tens of thousands of rubles.

This experience showed that inexpensive weapons could effectively eliminate far more costly military equipment.

Against this background, laser systems appear to offer a rational way of defending against drones. Their operating costs are considerably lower than those of expensive Pantsir air defense systems.

The representative also pointed to production bottlenecks affecting anti-aircraft missiles. Laser systems would be more economically practical if mass production were established, since the equivalent of each shot is generated directly by the laser installation itself rather than manufactured separately.

The heads of relevant Russian government agencies are already familiar with the results of practical tests involving laser anti-drone systems, according to the Svarog representative. He suggested that this could lead to the technology being introduced rapidly to protect military and industrial facilities from enemy drone attacks.