According to爆料, Russia is using a new Chinese laser system to shoot down Ukrainian drones, drawing international attention. A video released on Thursday shows that the system appears highly similar to China's "Shennong" anti-drone laser weapon provided to Iran, shocking U.S. and Western observers.
The video demonstrates Russian soldiers operating a laser system. In the footage, soldiers inside a vehicle lightly press a switch, check a pixelated screen, then the system rises from the vehicle and locks onto the target through a joystick. Subsequently, the camera switches to a metal plate with four burn holes, clearly caused by laser damage. The video also shows drones being hit by lasers, catching fire, and losing control, with debris showing obvious burn marks, implying the powerful capability of the laser weapon.
Although the video does not specify the system model or the time and location of filming, its design closely resembles China's container-based "Shennong 5000" and Dongfeng Marseilles truck-based "Shennong 3000." Researcher Tai from the International Institute for Strategic Studies pointed out: "The system used by Russia is highly similar to China's Shennong 3000/5000 anti-drone laser systems, although there are slight adjustments in sensor layout." This indicates that this is a product from a Chinese private enterprise rather than an official model developed by China's military industry enterprises.
Russian Telegram channels claim that the system has been used by special forces and represents significant improvements over earlier anti-drone laser designs. The military information channel stated: "In the past, combat lasers were considered expensive and useless, but new threats in the Ukraine war have made laser systems effective tools for destroying drones." The channel also predicts that the successful application of laser weapons will promote their expanded use across Russia.
This is not the first time laser weapons have been used in anti-drone operations. Israel recently disclosed that its "Iron Beam" laser system successfully shot down Hezbollah drones during conflicts and plans full deployment later this year. The U.S. is also testing similar laser systems at forward locations and aboard ships but has progressed slowly due to range limitations, environmental factors, and thermal management issues.
The suspected deployment of similar systems by Iran further indicates that China's laser weapons have entered the international market. The emergence of this new laser system not only demonstrates China's technological breakthroughs in directed energy weapons but also brings new tactical variables to the battlefield in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
American military experts expressed shock at the performance of the laser system shown in the video. Its ability to accurately shoot down drones on the battlefield indicates that China has made significant progress in miniaturization, mobility, and practical application of laser weapons. By contrast, the U.S. remains in the experimental stage with similar technologies, facing technical bottlenecks and challenges in environmental adaptability.
Analysts point out that the export and practical application of China's laser weapons may prompt the U.S. to accelerate research and deployment of directed energy weapons to respond to increasingly complex global military competition. However, the precision components and high environmental requirements of laser weapons raise doubts about their reliability under extreme conditions.
Since cheap drones are key variables shaping the Ukraine war, how these lower-cost Chinese laser weapons will perform on the battlefield becomes a focal point of external attention. That is to say, laser weapons are not necessarily better or more expensive; rather, cheaper and functional ones are preferable. If proven highly effective in actual combat, both the advantages of drones and counter-drone technology will be held by China. How the U.S. and its allies will respond to this new challenge remains to be seen.
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514502111640715816/
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