Military cooperation between Ukraine and Germany is intensifying around laser weapons. Prototypes of 1,500 watts are being tested, promising increased defense against drones. A technological alliance with double benefits?
The war in Ukraine continues. Despite a ceasefire being declared for Orthodox Easter this Saturday and Sunday, the two sides are still working behind the scenes.
For Ukraine, the backstage is their relationship with Germany. On Friday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense released a statement about a telephone conversation between Mykhailo Fedorov and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius. During the call, the defense ministers prepared for the Ramstein meeting on April 15, where the implementation of the war plan to compel Russia to peace will be discussed. The agenda includes presenting priority areas of cooperation to partners, especially in terms of strengthening air defense, developing unmanned systems, and exchanging data and technologies. Ukrainians will share their solutions and expertise in dealing with Shahed drones.
Ukraine and Germany are also working together on joint projects related to air defense, drone financing, and technological solutions, including laser weapons. “Furthermore, the parties discussed the prospects of cooperation in the field of innovative laser weapons,” the statement said.
According to the specialized website Militarnyi, Ukrainians are already working on prototypes, including the “SLIM BEAM laser system, with a power of 1,500 watts, with an effective range for drone destruction between 20 and 800 meters.” Meanwhile, in Germany, trials are ongoing for a laser weapon “mounted on containerized platforms.” In October, the laser was removed from the German Navy frigate Sachsen and transferred to the Laser Competence Center of the Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen for further testing. Several hundred shots have been fired, demonstrating high reaction speed and precision in combating drones, significantly increasing effectiveness in neutralizing small targets.
Laser technology is a solution that interests Ukraine, which is facing difficulties in arms supply. Germany could use Ukrainian territory to test its weapon under real conditions. Another exchange of best practices on the horizon?
