Next-gen laser weapon Syderal under development in France
Illustrative photo: DragonFire laser weapon (video screenshot)
The French Ministry of Defense has announced the signing of a contract with a consortium of companies, MBDA, Safran Electronics & Defense, Thales, and CILAS, to develop a prototype of a high-power laser weapon designed to counter drones, according to the French armaments agency.
The new system has been designated the "next-generation laser defense system" (Syderal). It is intended for use against drones and for short-range air defense.
The Syderal system is expected to be capable of destroying tactical drones, rocket and mortar rounds, as well as guided munitions, both during the day and at night.
The integration of the laser defense system into the French army is planned for 2030.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that France had produced an enhanced version of the AASM bomb. The high-precision AASM kits are manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defense under the name Hammer. They include a guidance module and a rocket motor to extend range, usually mounted on conventional free-fall bombs weighing 227 kg.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the first successful tests of high-energy laser weapons mounted on armored vehicles have taken place. The system can destroy drones with a powerful infrared laser. The UK Ministry of Defense explained that the weapon is integrated into a Wolfhound armored vehicle and equipped with tracking systems that provide real-time targeting accuracy.
In April, Ukraine unveiled its new laser weapon, the Trident. More details about it are available in the RBC-Ukraine report.
