Laser weapons are currently limited by insufficient energy conversion efficiency, so it is premature to expect their widespread use in armored vehicles. Alexander Potapov, CEO of the Uralvagonzavod concern, stated that the prospects of such systems could be discussed when an efficiency of 80% is achieved. In his opinion, combating new threats will require a combination of several technologies.
Potapov noted that the presence of a tracked platform, on which various weapons and equipment can be placed, does not in itself solve the problem of protection. Lasers, super-high frequency (SHF) impact systems, and electromagnetic emitters must complement each other. Relying on a single vehicle or a separate type of weapon as a universal means of countering drones, in his opinion, is not advisable.
The 80% threshold indicates how high an efficiency the head of UVZ would like to see in prospective laser systems. However, Potapov did not specify what exact efficiency indicator he was referring to and under what conditions it should be measured. Therefore, this figure cannot be directly considered an established technical requirement for a specific combat complex.
For laser weapons, not only the efficiency of the radiation source is important. The system must receive sufficient electrical power, dissipate heat, detect and track the target, and hold the beam on a small area of its surface. The result depends on the distance, atmospheric conditions, power and quality of the beam, and the exposure time. Even with high energy conversion efficiency, these challenges do not disappear.
Potapov's statement reflects a broader approach to modernizing armored vehicles: protection must take into account different types of threats and combine several technical solutions.