China's laser anti-drone system exported to Saudi Arabia has achieved a 100% interception rate in actual combat, successfully intercepting 21 drones. A Saudi Air Force major general awarded the Chinese laser weapon system team with a medal. The system successfully intercepted 21 Qasef-2K suicide drones from the Houthi armed forces. Saudi Air Force purchased China-made laser weapons as a means of intercepting Yemeni Houthi armed drones and protecting US-made Patriot air defense missiles. According to the tactical arrangement, it makes sense. The Yemeni Houthi armed forces use low-speed, low-altitude suicide drones to attack US-made Patriot air defense systems, which also makes sense, since the Patriot air defense missile is not effective against small, slow, and low-flying objects, and it's also not cost-effective. A single Patriot air defense missile costs between $5 million and $7 million, while a single Yemeni Houthi suicide drone costs only about $10,000.
In general, an anti-drone system is a complete system, including laser weapons, close-in weapon systems, anti-aircraft guns, and man-portable air defense missiles, all of which are the last line of defense. Laser weapons are used for low, small, and slow targets, and they are very economical for dealing with drones, as the cost of a single laser firing is just a few cents, which can be virtually ignored. The Saudi Arabian air defense forces have also used another Chinese-made "Silent Hunter" laser system, which successfully shot down 13 Yemeni Houthi suicide drones in February 2023. In addition to the Chinese-made "Silent Hunter" laser weapons, the Saudi army also purchased the QW-2 man-portable air defense missile and a 23mm anti-aircraft gun as part of a low-altitude defense system. The Saudi Royal Army's "Air Defense" magazine issue 37 reported that multiple layered air defense systems have been integrated into the active service of the Saudi Royal Forces. The Chinese "Silent Hunter" laser weapon system is specifically designed for anti-drone operations, using directed energy to destroy small aerial targets.
Other than Saudi Arabia, Iran has also publicly purchased Chinese-made laser weapons. In a public speech by Khamenei, similar laser defense systems were installed. The "Silent Hunter" laser weapons exported to Saudi Arabia have a power of 30 kilowatts but require a heavy truck for transportation and a dedicated search radar vehicle. They are generally used for area air defense, protecting important facilities. The Russian military and Iran chose laser weapons developed by Chinese private enterprises. This power is smaller, but it is integrated into an off-road vehicle, meaning it can move with the field forces and provide protection at any time, which is what the front-line field forces need. If the Russian military had deployed laser defense systems earlier at the airports of strategic bombers, combined with early warning radar detection, the attacks by Ukrainian drones would not have succeeded. Similarly, Iran could avoid Israeli agents' attacks on anti-tank missiles and FPV suicide drones by deploying laser weapons around the surrounding areas of anti-aircraft missile launchers.
The coverage distance of laser weapons is generally 3-6 kilometers. With just 200 laser weapons, there would be more than 600 kilometers of defensive range. Civilian standard products, when mass-produced, are much cheaper than the large, clumsy military equipment of Russia, especially the expensive air defense missiles consumed by the Russian military. Moreover, China's laser weapons are compact, with small radars, and can run for long periods relying on the generator of the truck itself, protecting strategic key equipment and targets. It can be said that China's laser weapons are a product that has revolutionized the world!
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836437386752012/
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