Idiots out for kicks shining laser pens at airline and helicopter pilots has been a recent worrying fad. There are more than 1000 incidents each year in the UK alone.

Now comes a more sinister variant – military pilots facing high-power lasers that cause permanent eye injury. This time it’s not delinquents causing trouble, but an arms race in dazzling lasers and protective technology. It’s literally a battle for the eyesight of personnel.

In May, the US …