This Muslim country calls Chinese laser defence system low-grade, drone attack failed during…, is Pakistan also…
The Saudi Arabian army has called China's laser weapon system extremely substandard. According to reports, during the test, the most crucial part of the laser defence system, the Silent Hunter laser, failed in operational conditions.
Beijing: China, which prides itself on its sixth-generation fighter jets and Dongfeng-5C and DF-61 missiles, has recently faced serious criticism for its defence equipment. The Saudi Arabian Army has termed the ‘Made in China’ laser weapon system extremely substandard. The eastern country is the first nation in the world to have bought the Chinese laser-guided air defence system. Rather than relying on the Dragon’s laser weapon system, the Saudi Army termed it substandard, doubting its capabilities. It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia also uses the United States Patriot air defence system, but bought the Chinese laser-guided air defence system to thwart drone swarm attacks in which hundreds or thousands of drones attack simultaneously. During the test, China’s Skyshield Integrated Anti-Drone System failed miserably, raising questions about the Dragon’s weapon capabilities. The laser-guided Anti-Drone System was acquired by Saudi Arabia in February last year and was recently tested.
What is Skyshield Integrated Anti-Drone System?
It is important to note that China’s Skyshield Integrated Anti-Drone System comprises drone radar, jamming vehicles and the Silent Hunter Laser Directed Energy Weapon developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC).
What Happened During The Test Run?
During the initial test when the Saudi army attempted to check the laser system’s capabilities it failed miserably in front of drone attacks, raising doubts on Chinese defence equipment. Just like Chinese air defence system failed in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor when India(BHARAT) struck Pakistani bases.
After witnessing the laser system’s disastrous performance, the Saudi Arabian army has raised serious questions on its capability.
What Went Wrong During Chinese Laser Defence System’s Test Run?
As per several reports, the most crucial part of the laser defence system – the Silent Hunter Laser – didn’t work as expected in the operational condition.
A former Saudi military officer, who was handling the project, stated that ‘the capabilities shown during the demonstration, as claimed, have proved to be much less during the actual deployment.’
Continuous targeting had to be done by the Chinese Skyshield Integrated Anti-Drone System which lasts 15-30 minutes in order to target a UAV. However, in this duration the enemy’s drone would destroy the defence system. He stated that Saudi Arabia’s sand and dust created complications for the optical tracking of the laser defence system and weakened the beam strength. Additionally, the desert heat affected the power cooling of the system, further reducing the laser firing capabilities.
What China Was Claiming For Its Sky Shield Laser Air Defense System?
China claimed that the Sky Shield laser air defence system is capable of both hard kill and soft kill. Each battery has four vehicles, including – 3D TWA radar, an AESA (active electronically scanned array) anti-drone radar – loaded with three side-facing panels; two JN1101 anti-drone jamming vehicles, and the Silent Hunter laser directed-energy weapon, which is designed to destroy drones.
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