⏎ Words Summary from News
**China has unveiled portable laser weapons for individual soldiers to shoot down drones, turning a science-fiction concept into a battlefield reality.** The Lijian series, developed by Harbin Xinguang Optic-Electronics Technology, was displayed at the Defence Information Equipment & Technology Exhibition 2026 in Beijing. These systems use high-energy lasers to burn drones at ranges up to 500 meters for portable models, with fixed versions reaching 1,200 meters. The weapons weigh 25 to 30 kilograms and can be carried in backpacks by one or two soldiers.</p><p class="summary-lead">**The Lijian II and Lijian III consist of just three components: a laser emitter, an air cooler, and a handheld control terminal.** They can be quickly deployed and recovered, with the Lijian III capable of burning a drone within 4 seconds and cooling down in under 5 seconds. The systems use around 2 kilowatts of power and can integrate with small radars or external guidance for AI-assisted targeting. However, each unit costs about 2 million yuan (US$295,000), making them expensive but cheaper than shoulder-fired missiles per engagement.</p><p class="summary-lead">**The development reflects China's progress in miniaturizing laser and power-supply technologies, shifting from experimental concepts to conventional weaponry.** Military analyst Song Zhongping noted these portable systems can create ad hoc air-defense nodes at the squad and platoon levels, protecting troops from drone attacks at lower cost. The Lijian series has already been deployed at key military airfields in China, and the company aims to secure more orders from bases and airfields. This capability is driven by lessons from the Ukraine war, which reshaped thinking around drone warfare.</p><p class="summary-lead">**China is doubling down on both UAV offensive and defensive capabilities, with President Xi Jinping emphasizing the need to accelerate unmanned intelligent combat forces.** The exhibition also featured the Shazhui-320 subsonic stealth drone, which can be modified for swarm tactics involving 30 aircraft or converted into a large loitering munition. A chip for intelligent drone decision-making and autonomous navigation was showcased by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. These developments signal a strategic push to dominate the rapidly evolving drone warfare landscape.</p><p class="summary-lead">**What to watch next:** Whether China's portable laser weapons see export sales or mass adoption by the PLA, and how rival nations respond with countermeasures or similar miniaturized directed-energy systems.
Key Takeaways
- China's portable laser weapons allow individual soldiers to shoot down drones at ranges up to 500 meters, with fixed versions reaching 1,200 meters.
- The Lijian series costs about $295,000 per unit but offers a cheaper per-engagement cost than traditional missiles.
- These systems reflect China's shift from experimental laser concepts to deployable conventional weaponry.
- The development is driven by lessons from the Ukraine war and China's strategic push to dominate unmanned combat capabilities.
Insights & Analysis
- Portable laser weapons could democratize anti-drone defense, giving small infantry units a cost-effective counter to cheap drone swarms.
- China's integration of AI and radar guidance into these systems suggests a future battlefield where autonomous air-defense nodes are standard at the squad level.