What is the UK's microwave weapon that neutralizes the enemy almost instantly?

After the Ukrainian drone attack on Russia on June 1st in "Operation Spider Web," which left the pride of Putin's military "touched and sunk," some have begun to wonder if these examples partially undermine the logic of military spending, since a little can be achieved with a lot. Swarms of commercial drones, capable of evading ground defenses, can shoot down billions of dollars' worth of military weapons in an instant and strike at the Achilles' heel of an entire nation. Furthermore, The New York Times explained that 80% of the casualties in the war between Ukraine and Russia were caused by drones.

Meanwhile, a Bloomberg exclusive reported that the US would not provide air cover for European troops in Ukraine if they were deployed there. And in the midst of this situation, the Kremlin threatened NATO member countries if they allowed Ukraine to use its long-range weapons against them. Time and again, it becomes clear that Europe needs to revamp its defenses. In this context, the United Kingdom, as part of its rearmament project, has unveiled a "Rapid Destroyer" microwave weapon.

It is a device that "uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components within drones" remotely . It is a type of radio frequency directed energy weapon (RF DEW) and has been shown to be capable of neutralizing multiple targets simultaneously with near-instant effect. It uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components within drones, causing them to crash or malfunction.

The test of its use was completed at a firing range in Wales and was the largest counter-drone exercise the British Army has conducted to date. It has already successfully shot down more than 100 drones and cannot be jammed by electronic warfare. It operates at ranges of up to 1 km. Its estimated cost is €0.12 per shot and was developed by a consortium led by the French company Thales.

It would complement conventional weapons against the growing threat from drones, as the government states: "UK Defense Intelligence estimates that last year Ukraine had to defend itself from attacks from more than 18,000 drones ." Incursions were also recorded in Europe, with drones near the US airbase RAF Lakenheath in England last November.

The truth is that high-power microwave weapons are being developed all over the world . The US military has the THOR (Tactical High-power Operational Responder) system, the size of a shipping container. And the Leonidas device from the technology company Epirus is designed for use aboard US Navy ships.

According to the Financial Times, these systems could be particularly effective in desert outposts, kinetic front lines, or naval environments , where there is minimal concern about collateral damage.

A senior British military official told the British media that drones have become a dominant force on the battlefield, but face greater challenges from electronic warfare systems. These unmanned aircraft could, in turn, be protected with materials that shield their circuits from electromagnetic pulses. Ultimately, "it's a game of measures against countermeasures," one officer told the British media. A shift in direction that countries like the United Kingdom are immersed in as the nature of warfare changes.