Small Laser Drones Help Ukraine Fight Big Threats

Lithuanian makers are stepping up to fill a gap in Ukraine’s drone gear.
A company called Aktyvus Photonics is making its tiny laser‑targeting kits lighter and cheaper.

• New model: fits in a hand, weighs only 200 g, and can be used with small drones that Ukraine already flies.
• Production plan: triple output this year and use 2025 profits to grow further.

Ukraine’s front lines need quick, affordable ways to guide missiles.
Most laser systems are large and costly, so a lightweight alternative is a game‑changer.

“The technology has already been tested on Ukrainian battlefields and works well,” says the Lithuanian company.

In Estonia, Threod Systems is also adding new drones to its line.
At a Paris defence fair, the company showcased the Eos D ISTAR, a small vertical‑take‑off drone that can carry a laser and sensors.

• Purpose: give soldiers on the ground a portable way to spot targets and call in strikes.
• Vision: laser guidance should not be limited to big machines.
• CEO’s focus: making the system easy for tactical teams to use.

The company has tweaked its software based on feedback from Ukrainian operators and now sells in 27 countries, including many NATO allies.

Both makers show how small tech can level the playing field. They rely on feedback from real combat to improve designs, aiming to give Ukraine cheaper, lighter tools that still hit the mark.