Russia Operating Chinese Laser Defense System
Russian media has shared a video of a Chinese-made laser air defense system deployed by Moscow to target Ukrainian drones.
China’s Silent Hunter, also known as the Low Altitude Laser Defense System (LASS), was shown shooting down Kyiv’s drones in the footage while being operated by a mobile air defense team from the Kochevnik special operations group.
The LASS unit was able to strike a Shchedryk-class reconnaissance drone, Skywalker X8, and a decoy Distractor unmanned aerial vehicle.
The footage suggests that the drones were shot down from distances exceeding 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers), according to Militarnyi.
The news outlet also stated that Russia may have been using the LASS since October 2024.
Russia has been receiving military aid from China despite sanctions, with recent developments revealing parts from Beijing making up some of the country’s cruise missiles.
The Silent Hunter
Operated by China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, the Silent Hunter is an SUV-mounted laser weapon designed to search, track, and destroy low-flying drones.
Its electric fiber optic laser has power of between 30 and 100 kilowatts and can take down targets as far as 2.5 miles (4 kilometer) away.
Its penetrative power allows its laser to pierce through five two-millimeter steel plates from half a mile (800 meters) away, or one five-millimeter plate from 0.6 miles (1 kilometer).
