russian state-controlled media claim that the country's defense industry has begun serial production of robotic platforms armed with laser systems. The reports follow the recent release of footage allegedly showing a combat laser operating on the Kurier-2 unmanned ground vehicle.
According to russian claims, the laser has "replaced the machine guns and grenade launchers" previously used on the UGV, which has already reportedly been deployed in the combat zone.
Read more: russia Shows Off Its Ignis Laser on the Kurier Robot
russia has not disclosed which laser system is being used. However, the system is most likely the Ignis laser previously shown on the Kurier UGV. The system was first unveiled last year. While laser weapons are generally associated with air defense, particularly counter-drone systems, Ignis is reportedly intended for a completely different task: mine clearance.
There is also a notable change in the claimed specifications. Last year, russia stated that Ignis had an effective range of up to 200 meters and could neutralize a TM-62 anti-tank mine without detonating it. russia now claims that the system can destroy explosive hazards without detonation at ranges of up to 500 meters.
russian sources say the laser can burn through a target in about four seconds and can operate through a smoke screen. "The Kurier UGV equipped with this laser can clear paths through minefields by burning out ordnance on the ground," the manufacturer claims.
Interestingly, russia is now presenting the laser-equipped Kurier as a system intended for use directly on the battlefield.
That is a notable shift from its earlier positioning. The system had previously been presented primarily for rear-area and civilian applications.
Deploying such a platform on the battlefield, however, creates an obvious vulnerability. A relatively large and potentially expensive robotic vehicle carrying a laser system could itself become an attractive target for drones.
There is another important question surrounding Ignis. Although russia presents it as an indigenous development, it cannot be ruled out that the system is actually based on a Chinese product.
For example, last year russian sources acknowledged that their forces had acquired a Chinese combat laser and released footage of it in operation. The system was identified as the Low-Altitude Laser Defending System, or LASS, reportedly developed by the China Academy of Engineering Physics.
Read more: India Bets on Ambitious Laser Weapons Despite Slow Progress — 10kW Mk-II, 100kW DURGA II Promise Near-Zero Cost Per Shot
