Naval forces

History

2024: Use of laser guns to combat UAVs

In mid-August 2024, it became known that China had installed laser-guided energy weapons on the landing ship to counter drones, satellite networks and other advanced attack or surveillance technologies.

The images that appeared on social networks suggest that a system of powerful laser weapons appeared on the landing ship-dock type 071 "Simeizan" as a result of the reconstruction. The laser system, which can be recognized by the domed movable cover, appeared behind the 76-mm dual-purpose ship gun after a planned repair of the ship. It is difficult to judge the capabilities of these laser weapons or assess the position of the vessel from the available photographs.

interestingengineering.com

It is known that the Chinese army uses other laser weapons, but this is the first case of installing a laser system on one of the landing naval ships. It is likely that this vessel will serve as a test platform before the widespread deployment of new weapons to the Chinese fleet. Commissioned in 2007, the Type 071 vessel was the largest active landing craft of the Chinese Army until entering service in 2021 with the Type 075 vessel. The Type 071 ship, with a displacement of about 25,000 tons, has a flight deck, hangar and can accommodate four transport helicopters Z-8 and about 60 armored fighting vehicles.

Experts suggest that laser weapons, more powerful and affordable than traditional ones, will play an important role in the defense systems of the future. In the past, Interest Engineering has documented several cases of successful use of laser weapons to destroy drones. With a reliable source of energy, these weapons can actually operate indefinitely without problems with a lack of ammunition.^[1]

Notes