China Reveals Two New Laser Weapons Targeting Low-Altitude Drones and Loitering Munitions.

China has revealed two laser-based air defense systems, Guangjian-11E and 21A, designed to destroy low-flying drones at close range. The systems target a growing gap in air defense as small UAVs evade traditional radars and reshape battlefield threats.

State television footage shows both systems engaging simulated quadcopters and loitering munitions flying at 50 to 80 meters, a known blind zone for conventional radar coverage. The Guangjian series appears optimized for rapid, precise engagements against small, slow targets that can penetrate defended areas undetected. While official specifications remain limited, the systems likely use high-energy lasers for low-cost, repeatable intercepts, aligning with broader Chinese efforts to counter mass drone use in contested environments.

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The two systems are presented as complementary elements within an integrated counter-unmanned aerial system architecture. The Guangjian-11E, described as a multi-mode terminal jamming system, focuses on non-kinetic disruption. It combines electronic warfare functions with directed-energy effects to interfere with onboard sensors and data links. By contrast, the Guangjian-21A is a vehicle-mounted laser weapon designed for kinetic engagements, capable of maintaining fire while on the move, a feature that reduces exposure to counter-battery threats and increases survivability in contested environments.

Several technical characteristics emerge from the footage and accompanying statements. The report, broadcast by CCTV News on 26 March 2026, indicates that both systems rely on phased-array radar for target detection and tracking, coupled with infrared sensors that enable passive acquisition and tracking in environments where electromagnetic emissions may be constrained. This dual-sensor configuration supports engagement continuity against low-observable or intermittently emitting targets. In addition, the systems are linked through wired and wireless data connections, allowing real-time data sharing and coordinated targeting across a distributed network.

The Guangjian-21A employs a high-energy laser capable of generating a concentrated beam over several kilometers, sufficient to heat and structurally weaken drone airframes or disable propulsion and flight-control circuits within seconds. It integrates a rapid detect-lock-engage sequence, allowing the system to identify and track targets before delivering energy with minimal delay. Designed for both autonomous operations and networked formations, the system can operate continuously day and night, including while moving, which enhances its survivability in contested environments.

The Guangjian-11E, meanwhile, functions as a multi-mode composite terminal jamming system integrating multi-band optoelectronic active countermeasures. It uses laser interference, damage, and decoy techniques to degrade or neutralize precision-guided munitions and drones by disrupting their sensing and guidance capabilities. This approach allows it to blind electro-optical payloads and interfere with targeting loops, making it suitable for terminal defense of both fixed sites and maneuvering units.

These design choices reflect the growing challenge posed by fiber-optic guided drones, which are resistant to traditional electronic jamming due to their reliance on physical data links. In such cases, hard-kill solutions become necessary. At the same time, the availability of a soft-kill option allows operators to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary destruction when disruption alone is sufficient. The pairing of both methods within a single operational framework reduces gaps in coverage and increases engagement flexibility.

The integration of these systems into a wider combat network appears central to their intended use. According to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), multi-source detection and intelligent identification enable a rapid detect-to-engage sequence, linking radar, electro-optical sensors, and directed-energy weapons. This approach aligns with broader trends in integrated air defense, where sensor fusion and data-sharing architectures are used to shorten response times and improve engagement accuracy against small and fast-moving targets.

The unveiling also follows earlier demonstrations of counter-drone capabilities during China’s September 2025 military parade, where missile, artillery, laser, and microwave systems were presented as part of a multi-layered defense concept. These systems are described as forming an “iron triangle” combining soft-kill and hard-kill effects, reflecting lessons drawn from recent operational environments. The current focus on laser systems indicates continued investment in directed-energy weapons as a cost-effective solution against mass drone threats.

These developments point to a broader shift toward integrated counter-drone architectures combining kinetic and non-kinetic effects. Available assessments suggest that recent training activities highlight steady progress in laser and microwave systems, although independent verification remains limited. If confirmed under operational conditions, these capabilities could influence procurement priorities in other regions, particularly among states facing similar challenges from low-cost unmanned systems.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.