To counter the US, China is racing to develop anti-UAV and laser weapon technologies.

Silent Hunter is a laser weapon designed to destroy mobile UAVs. Photo: AP

To protect its drones from laser weapons and counter digital information spoofing technology used to capture drone data, China has developed a system called Silent Hunter, a laser weapon designed to destroy mobile UAVs. Silent Hunter has a range of up to 4 km and was recently unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Defence Exhibition in February.

Poly Technologies, the company that developed Silent Hunter, says the weapon can penetrate five 2mm thick steel plates from a distance of 800m, or a 5mm thick steel plate from a distance of 1km.

Analysts believe that China is making rapid progress in laser technology and drone technology. Many major corporations and research institutions have joined the race to research anti-drone technology, including the China National Nuclear Corporation, Novasky, and the Beijing Institute of Technology.

According to Kelvin Wong, an aerospace technology expert from IHS Markit, many new systems may not yet have been announced or demonstrated by China. He stated, "I believe there are many state-owned and private companies and research institutions in China that have entered the drone market."

Laser weapons. Photo: Getty

Meanwhile, Arthur Holland Michel, an expert at the Center for Drone Studies at Bard University in the US, assesses that companies participating in the technology race could unexpectedly deliver a breakthrough in the development of anti-UAV systems.

Michel commented: "We're talking about a burgeoning technology sector where even a small startup can come up with a brilliant solution, just like DJI did a few years ago, and has now taken over the drone market."

DJI is a Chinese startup company headquartered in Shenzhen. DJI manufactures commercial drones used for photography and videography. DJI also designs and produces control and flight support systems for UAVs. The company currently holds 70% of the global market share for civilian drones.

However, experts argue that US anti-drone systems are still far more advanced than those of China. They have a greater range, utilize a wider variety of sensor technologies, and are developed by more companies.

The US currently has more than 60 anti-UAV systems, or products that use radar, radio waves, electronic and acoustic detection and tracking, to intercept or even destroy enemy aircraft.

According to a report by the Drone Research Center, U.S. systems can interfere with enemy communications or destroy UAVs with lasers or projectiles.

Recently, Lockheed Martin unveiled a high-energy microwave defense system against the UAE. This laser weapon can be mounted on fighter jets, making it more effective than handheld or ground-based devices. The US military has stated plans to purchase this equipment from Lockheed Martin.