Russia recently unveiled a powerful weapon that emits light so strong that it can blind enemies, which can possibly be used in the country's stepped-up campaign against the the Islamic State jihadist group.
The terrifying new device, a "visual optical jammer" called Grach, was revealed during a military expo in Russia this week.
Later this month, the Russian Navy is set to test a prototype of the ray gun, particularly on the frigate Admiral Gorshkov.
"It can save lives and hardware and causes a strong psychological effect on the enemy," deputy director of device creator OPK Sergey Skokov said, as quoted by The Sunday Express.
Skokov added that the new device will be utilised particularly against terrorists and pirates but will not be used exclusively by the Russian military.
"Not only foreign navies, but also border guards and law enforcement agencies fighting against piracy on the seas may find it useful," he said.
The ray gun has four projectors, and can be remotely controlled by crews. It will be attached to Russian defence vehicles—including hovercrafts, amphibious vehicles and hydrofoils—to provide cover for troops by dazzling enemies with bright light.
Russia may well utilise this new weapon in Russian President Vladimir Putin's wider campaign against Islamic militants. Just this week, Russian jets bombed 27 hotspots of the ISIS.
Moscow launched this brutal campaign against jihadist organisation with one goal in sight: to wipe out the ISIS forever.
Russia's unrelenting campaign against the ISIS has so far reportedly smashed 71 armoured vehicles, 30 other vehicles, 19 command facilities, two communication centres, 23 depots with fuel and ammunition, six plants used to make car bombs, several artillery pieces and training camps.
The Pentagon, however, has criticised Putin's airstrikes against the ISIS, particularly due to the fact that they were launched without prior notice.
