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WDS 2026: China’s CPMIEC Unveils LW-30 Laser Weapon System for Gulf Counter-Drone Defense.
China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation unveiled its LW 30 truck-mounted laser weapon system at the 2026 World Defence Show in Riyadh. The directed energy system is designed to counter drones and electro-optical threats, signaling Beijing’s push to compete in the Gulf’s growing demand for layered air defense solutions.
At World Defence Show 2026 in Riyadh, China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation presented its LW-30 laser weapon system, a truck-mounted directed energy capability intended to counter a spectrum of aerial and electro-optical threats. A 1:10 scale model of the system was displayed to illustrate the configuration and integration of the laser effector on its carrier vehicle. The system forms part of the company’s export portfolio in air defense and precision engagement technologies and was highlighted during coverage conducted on-site by Army Recognition Group. The appearance of the LW-30 reflects the growing prominence of high-energy laser solutions within layered protection architectures sought by many armed forces, while also underlining Beijing’s interest in promoting such capabilities to potential customers in the Gulf region.
At World Defence Show 2026 in Riyadh, China’s CPMIEC unveiled its truck-mounted LW-30 laser weapon system, positioning it as a counter-drone solution tailored for Gulf air defense needs (Picture Source: Army Recognition Group)
CPMIEC, a major Chinese state-owned defense trade organization, is active in the international market for missile systems, air defense assets and associated technologies. By bringing the LW-30 to World Defence Show, the company positioned the system among a broad set of emerging counter-UAS and short-range defense solutions displayed to military delegations from across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. The exhibition environment in Riyadh provided an opportunity to detail both the operational concept and the technical parameters of the weapon, in a region where demand for counter-drone tools has increased steadily in recent years.
According to the manufacturer, the LW-30 is based on an optical fiber laser with an emission power of up to 30 kilowatts. The system is designed to generate a concentrated beam to engage incoming targets and can be employed in missions such as counter-drone defense, the neutralization of airborne objects including balloons, and the disruption or destruction of photoelectric detection and guidance devices. The company indicates that the weapon can conduct both so-called soft-kill effects, such as dazzling or blinding sensors, and hard-kill engagements that physically disable or destroy the target.
Range performance figures presented by CPMIEC specify differentiated effects depending on the nature of the objective. Against photoelectric guidance equipment, the system is described as capable of blinding actions out to 10 kilometers and destructive effects at up to 5 kilometers. For unmanned aerial vehicles and model aircraft, the hard-kill distance is given as up to 3 kilometers. Engagement duration is reported in a window of approximately five to ten seconds, depending on atmospheric conditions and target characteristics.
Mobility and readiness are central elements of the design. The vehicle-mounted configuration is associated with a combat preparation time of eight minutes or less and a withdrawal time of three minutes or less. Continuous combat operation is stated to reach at least five minutes. Tracking coverage is advertised as 360 degrees in azimuth with an elevation envelope from minus 20 to 75 degrees, while tracking precision is rated at or below 10 microradians. Environmental operating parameters include temperatures from minus 40 to plus 45 degrees Celsius, humidity up to 80 percent at 25 degrees, average wind speeds not exceeding 10 meters per second with gusts up to 15 meters per second, and minimum visibility of 10 kilometers.
CPMIEC further emphasizes attributes commonly associated with directed energy systems: high hit accuracy, limited collateral damage, rapid response, comparatively low cost per engagement and suitability for automated or information-enabled modes of operation. Such characteristics are intended to support integration into wider air defense networks, particularly in scenarios where large numbers of small or low-cost aerial threats may challenge traditional missile-based interceptors, a concern frequently raised by armed forces in the Gulf.
The presentation of the LW-30 in Riyadh illustrates how export-oriented suppliers are advancing laser technologies from experimental programs toward deployable products with clearly defined performance data. With specified ranges, power levels and deployment timelines, CPMIEC seeks to demonstrate that directed energy can complement existing defenses by offering a scalable response to drones and sensor systems. Through the display of a detailed scale model and focused engagement with regional delegations, the company signaled its intention to make the system part of future procurement conversations in the Middle East. As interest in these capabilities continues to expand, systems like the LW-30 are likely to remain part of discussions among militaries evaluating future short-range protection solutions.