Russia uses Chinese-made laser weapons to intercept UAVs

Russia is reportedly using a Chinese-made high-energy laser weapon system to shoot down a Ukrainian drone, .

Accordingly, military experts from War Zone suspect that Russia is using a new Chinese laser system to shoot down Ukrainian drones. This is based on a video posted from a Telegram channel linked to the Russian Army. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

The video , posted on the Military Information Telegram channel, opens with soldiers inside a vehicle, turning on a switch and looking at a deeply obscured screen. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

The next shot shows the laser system protruding from the vehicle and then being rotated by a soldier inside the vehicle using a joystick. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

The laser system then burns a metal plate. A further view shows that the metal plate has four burned holes, apparently created by the laser beam from this system. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

The next scene shows a number of screens, with one showing video of a drone on fire and out of control, implying that the damage was caused by the laser system. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

A second drone is shown on screen being hit by what appears to be a laser beam. The video ends with footage of the drone being heavily burned, possibly indicating a laser engagement. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

While The War Zone team can’t say for sure what system this is, or where or when the video was filmed, as previously noted, the anti-drone laser system in the video is very similar to the one China appears to have supplied to Iran, with details like it having a single large aperture on the left side. Additionally, there’s a more square-shaped aperture on the right side. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

This mysterious laser system has a similar arrangement, if not more, to another Chinese anti-drone laser weapon called the Shen Nung. It closely resembles the Dongfeng Mengshi 4x4 light tactical truck-mounted version (also known as the Shen Nung 5000) and the container-mounted version (the Shen Nung 3000). Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

This is also the conclusion reached by Fabian Hinz, a research fellow in Defense and Military Analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Fabian Hinz noted on X that: "Although the sensor arrangement appears to have been changed, the system observed in Russian service is very similar to China's Shen Nung 3000/5000 anti-drone laser system." Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

Russia's Military Information Telegram channel claims that the system has been used by the Nomad special forces unit, and is a major improvement over previous anti-drone laser designs. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

“Previously, the Russian media environment was of the opinion that combat lasers were useless and expensive toys. However, new threats identified in the full-scale war in Ukraine forced Russia to look for alternative countermeasures. Thanks to the development of new technologies, laser systems have become an effective tool for destroying Ukrainian UAVs,” the Military Informant Telegram channel shared. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

The Military Informant Telegram channel added: "We still hope that the topic of developing laser weapons in Russia will receive new impetus and the experience of using lasers as anti-aircraft weapons will be further expanded throughout the country." Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

While the Military Informant Telegram channel did not explain what the system was, the editor of a Russian military magazine identified it as the “Chinese Low-Altitude Laser Defense System (LASS).” “It is used by the People's Armed Police of the People's Republic of China,” wrote Kornev Dmitry, editor of NOZS magazine and the MilitaryRussia.Ru website. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

While we don’t know many details about this mysterious system, it certainly isn’t the first anti-drone laser weapon system to be used. Earlier this week, Israeli officials revealed that the country had used a new anti-aircraft laser system to shoot down a Hezbollah drone during the current conflict in the Middle East. In October 2024, Israel also unveiled an improved version of the Iron Beam system, with the full version set to be deployed by the IDF by the end of the year. Photo: @The War Zone.

While there is still much we don’t know about the system that has surfaced on Russian social media, the fact that Iran has likely deployed a system very similar to the Chinese one is a sign that it is already on the market. This is understandable given the increasingly close relationship between Russia, China and Iran, as they seek to challenge the US and its allies on the global military stage, including China and Iran providing weapons or technological support to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Photo: @MILINFOLIVE3.

The US has also deployed similar laser systems in small numbers to forward locations and warships for initial use and operational evaluation. Photo: @Wikipedia.

Many countries are working to develop similar systems. While progress is being made in adapting laser weapons for military use, it is much slower than many had anticipated. Photo: @armytimes.

These anti-drone laser systems also have major limitations in terms of range, and environmental factors significantly affect their performance. Thermal limitations can also limit their effectiveness against a wide range of targets. Photo: @Media - Lockheed Martin.

Anti-drone laser systems also use relatively fragile components, so they must be constantly innovated and upgraded to adapt to the rigors of forward operations, often in remote locations, with extremely limited outside support. Photo: @themedialine.

(According to The War Zone)

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/nga-su-dung-vu-khi-laser-do-trung-quoc-che-tao-danh-chan-uav-post1545396.html