French defense firm CILAS has unveiled a portable laser rifle, the HELMA-LP — a system that could become a critical asset on tomorrow’s battlefields. Few armed forces have a more urgent need for such capabilities than Ukraine’s.
Unveiled at the 7th SOFINS (Special Operations Forces Innovation Network Seminar) exhibition, the HELMA-LP builds on CILAS’s earlier HELMA-P high-energy laser system, initially developed to counter drones and other aerial threats.
While the full-scale version has already seen deployment — including during the 2024 Paris Olympics — it is the lightweight, rifle-like HELMA-LP that has drawn particular interest for its portability, stealth, and ability to discreetly disable sensitive ground targets.
In Ukraine’s ongoing defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion, the HELMA-LP could fill a critical tactical gap. Unlike traditional laser weapons optimized for long-range drone interception, the HELMA-LP is built for close-to-medium range use — ideal for targeting electronics, sensors, surveillance devices, and camouflaged equipment.
The system’s reported effective range is at least 500 meters, with a beam diameter of approximately 20 mm at that distance, enabling pinpoint disruption of small, fixed targets.
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According to Ukrainian defense analysts at Defense Express, even though CILAS does not explicitly market the HELMA-LP for anti-drone use, its laser power is likely sufficient to blind drone optics or melt plastic protective filters with short-duration exposure.
This could prove especially valuable to Ukrainian infantry units frequently harassed by FPV drones and quadcopters used for reconnaissance, targeting, or psychological pressure.
Why HELMA-LP matters for Ukraine:
Electronic warfare countermeasures: Russian forces have heavily invested in battlefield surveillance and electronic warfare infrastructure. A silent, invisible system like HELMA-LP could neutralize key components — such as cameras, sensors, and radios — without giving away Ukrainian positions or depleting scarce munitions.
Stealth sabotage: In trench or urban warfare, the ability to silently disable enemy optics or communications systems can shift tactical momentum. Ukrainian special operations forces could use HELMA-LP for behind-the-lines disruption with minimal risk of detection.
Psychological edge: The laser is both silent and invisible, offering a unique element of surprise. Enemy troops may be blinded or disrupted without immediately knowing the source — a tool with both tactical and psychological utility.
Precision with minimal collateral damage: As Ukraine pushes to liberate densely populated areas, non-kinetic tools like HELMA-LP offer the ability to neutralize enemy assets precisely, without risking civilian harm or infrastructure destruction.
Modular and future-proof: The system’s potential for integration with drones and remote-controlled weapon stations fits seamlessly with Ukraine’s rapidly evolving unmanned warfare ecosystem.
While it’s uncertain whether Ukraine will acquire the HELMA-LP or develop a domestic equivalent, this type of compact, mission-focused, next-generation weapon could give Ukrainian forces a valuable edge in the increasingly digital, drone-dominated battlespace.
