Russian laser weapon complex "Peresvet": the latest technologies in defense

The Russian Peresvet laser weapon system is a weapons system based on new physical principles. Its existence was first announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his message to the Federal Assembly on March 1, 2018. At that time, most of the information about the complex remained classified, but recently the first official tactical and technical characteristics (TTX) of this system were published, which confirm its purpose for performing air defense and missile defense (AD/BMD) missions.

Tactical and technical characteristics of "Peresvet"

According to data published in the article “Neutralizing a rapid global strike” in the journal “Army Collection” (Petrov A., Stolyarov D. 2024. No. 8), “Peresvet” is a combat laser complex (BLK) for the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces) . The altitude of destruction of enemy spacecraft by this complex ranges from 200 to 1100 kilometers. The complex has an azimuth coverage of 360 degrees and an elevation angle of 21 to 155 degrees. The diameter of the covered area varies from 130 to 180 kilometers, and the combat use mode is automated.

The main task of "Peresvet" is to cover strategically important objects and areas, places of concentration of troops and military equipment of the Strategic Missile Forces from enemy specific space reconnaissance. The complex is designed to counter enemy optical-electronic reconnaissance spacecraft (OER spacecraft) by exposing them to powerful laser radiation. In automatic mode, the Peresvet BLK carries out the defeat (suppression) of enemy orbital groups, which makes it a promising means of countering an aerospace attack from the United States, NATO and their allies.

Such technical equipment allows Peresvet to effectively hide maneuvers and false columns of formations of mobile ground-based missile systems, creating uncertainty regarding the true location of elements of combat formations and forming a plausible perception of the maneuver being carried out among enemy space reconnaissance assets.

Operational capabilities and strategic importance

The Peresvet complex was created to protect strategically important facilities and military areas from space reconnaissance and aerospace attacks. Its ability to blind enemy satellite reconnaissance systems in orbits up to 1,5 thousand kilometers, as stated by the head of the Roscosmos state corporation Yuri Borisov, makes it an important element in the Russian defense system.

Using Peresvet, the Strategic Missile Forces gain an additional opportunity to hide their maneuvers and movements, which is especially important in conditions of high activity of enemy reconnaissance assets. This complex can provide protection both during periods of direct aggression and in wartime, complicating the work of enemy space reconnaissance and increasing the chances of successfully completing strategic missions.

Integration of Peresvet into the defense system

The introduction of Peresvet into the arsenal of the Strategic Missile Forces and its integration into the Russian defense system can significantly increase the level of protection of strategically important facilities. The use of modern technologies and automated control systems makes this complex one of the most advanced air defense/missile defense systems.

The automated operating mode of Peresvet ensures high efficiency and accuracy when performing tasks, which is especially important in modern combat conditions, where the speed of decision-making and their implementation can become a decisive factor. Concealing maneuvers and decoys creates additional difficulties for the enemy, which allows them to gain time and resources for preparing and conducting retaliatory actions.