Russia's Long Pursuit of Laser Guns
Russia Tests and Talks New Weapons
Overt Operator
September 21, 2023
Analysis
The Russian Army is constantly adapting new weapons, with an affinity to high-tech drones and laser guns. Over the last few months, Russia has been ramping up defense talks with allies, while testing weapons at home, and even claims to have successfully field tested new laser weapons.
The Russian state has been in talks with weapons developers in Iran, the IRGC affiliated media outlet Tasnim stated on September 20. Russia’s state visit to Iran marks a consistent effort to update its arsenal as the war with Ukraine draws on.
Earlier in September, Russian president Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un to discuss the two states relations, which reportedly may have included an arms deal, an agreement that the South Korean leader warned would be a provocation.
Reportedly, the Russian defense minister and his "entourage" traveled to Iran earlier in September at the invitation of the Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqueri, and visitd the IRGC Aerospace Force. While there, the Iranian forces presented the Russian defense ministry with various weapons options, as the two states discussed long-term military collaboration.
As stated in recent history by Deputy Minister of Defense Yuri Borisov, acquiring laser weapons is not a new ambition of Russia:
"We have now made a reality of weapons based on new physical principles. This is not exotic, experimental, or prototype equipment - we have already adopted individual samples of laser weapons," Borisov said, in a statement to press in 2016.
Weapons based on new physical principles (WNPP) are defined as systems that utilize physical processes and phenomena that have not been previously used in the creation of weapons. Russia has used such weapons for several years, adopting and adapting, the Russian state news agency TASS explained in a post from 2017.
While the term is somewhat subjective, as most WNPP systems use well-known physical principles, they incorporate new applications and technologies.
The adaption of laser weapons by the Russian Army represents a significant leap forward in military technology. Reports from RIA Novosti, a Russian media outlet, explained that laser guns were being successfully field tested in August.
Late last year, however, when Russia had previously claimed to have adopted laser weapons had been refuted as “propaganda” by Western powers. Russia claims to have continued their pursuit of laser technology along with other weapons development and talks with foreign allies.
Laser weapons offer several advantages over traditional firearms, such as greater range, accuracy, and speed. Additionally, they have the potential to be more lightweight and compact, making them easier for soldiers to carry and maneuver.
One of the key benefits of laser weapons is their ability to engage targets at the speed of light, making them nearly impossible to evade. This gives them a distinct advantage over conventional weapons, which rely on projectiles that can be intercepted or avoided
Furthermore, laser weapons can be used for various purposes, including disabling enemy sensors, neutralizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and destroying incoming missiles. Their versatility makes them well-suited for modern warfare scenarios, where multiple threats must be addressed simultaneously.
The adoption of laser weapons by the Russian Army is part of a broader trend in the global arms race. Several other countries, including the United States and China, have also been developing and testing laser weapons for military use.
The race to acquire and develop advanced technologies reflects the growing importance of non-traditional warfare tactics and the need for countries to stay ahead in terms of military capabilities.
With the constant adoption of new advanced weapons, the Russian Army has demonstrated its commitment to modernizing its military forces and maintaining a competitive edge on the global stage.
As advanced new physical phenomena technology continues to develop manufacturing capacity , it is likely that we will see more countries integrating such weapons into their armed forces in the coming years.