Putin hails new Russian laser weapons

Russian president Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on new laser weapons in Sochi. He said that new types of laser weapons developed in Russia would significantly enhance the nation's military capability.

Sochi: Russian President Vladimir Putin said that new types of laser weapons developed in Russia would significantly enhance the nation's military capability.

Speaking during Friday's meeting with top officials in Sochi, Putin specifically mentioned the Peresvet - the military's first laser weapon that entered service last autumn.

Peresvet is a high-energy laser, whose specific data and purpose have remained secret.

It's believed to be capable of blinding enemy electro-optical devices and downing drones.

Putin told officials that some other new laser weapons under development "until just recently only figured in science fiction".

He added that such weapons "will determine the combat potential of the Russian army and navy for decades ahead".