Comparative studies of the effect of pulsed electron beam irradiation on the structure and mechanical properties of Zr–1 wt % Nb and Zr–1 wt % Nb–0.25 wt % H alloys were performed. The irradiation with a pulsed electron beam in the surface melting mode is found to result in an increase in the strength characteristics of Zr–1Nb and Zr–1Nb–0.25H alloys in the temperature range of 293–673 K by 30–10% compared with unirradiated samples with the corresponding hydrogen concentration. Formation of a modified surface layer during irradiation is shown to increase the crack resistance and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement of the Zr–1Nb–0.25H alloy.