China showcases portable laser weapons for a single soldier to shoot down drones
3-day defence equipment and tech expo in Beijing features Lijian series of high-energy lasers among displays of drone and anti-drone systems
The Lijian series, meaning “sharp swords”, developed by Chinese defence supplier Harbin Xinguang Optic-Electronics Technology, was displayed at the Defence Information Equipment & Technology Exhibition 2026, a three-day event that started in Beijing on Tuesday.
The Lijian series uses high-energy lasers to shoot down drones at ranges up to 1,200 metres (3,900 feet), although the portable models have a much shorter range, according to information posted at the exhibition.
Laser weapons are considered effective for fighting drones as they can burn unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the air at a relatively low cost, compared with shooting them down with bullets or artillery.
The Lijian series has taken the concept a step further by reducing the weight of its weapons, presenting portable systems alongside those for installation on vehicles and fixed sites.
The portable systems, the Lijian II and Lijian III, have just three main components: a laser emitter, an air cooler and a handheld control terminal.
These components can be stored and carried in a bag. The Lijian II weighs 30kg (66lbs), and the Lijian III weighs 25kg.
Both models have a pitch angle of over 90 degrees, enabling them to flexibly shoot down drones. However, compared with Xinguang’s fixed-position anti-drone model, the Lijian-10G, which has a range of 1,200 metres, the strike range of the portable Lijian II and Lijian III is just 500 metres.
“Our portable anti-drone equipment is small in size, with the emitter weighing 15kg and the air-cooling system weighing 10kg,” Zhao Yao, a product promoter for the company, said at the exhibition.
“Theoretically, it can be carried and deployed on the battlefield by only one or two people in their backpacks. These individual soldier devices are easier to operate and can be quickly deployed and recovered.”
Zhao said the power use of the equipment was designed to be around 2 kilowatts.
Zhao said the Lijian III could burn a drone within 4 seconds and needed less than 5 seconds to cool down before firing the next laser.
However, the portable systems are not cheap, with each model priced at around 2 million yuan (US$295,000).
Fixed ground-deployed laser anti-drone equipment has a higher wattage of around 10kW and a range of 1,200 metres, but it requires a large liquid-cooled box.
The Lijian series can use artificial intelligence to identify targets and engage drones entering its range, guided by external means such as radar, its developer says.
“We can equip these devices with small radars, and they can also be integrated into the entire anti-drone system via external guidance interfaces,” Zhao said.
The company spokesman said the Lijian series had been deployed to facilities in some key areas of China, particularly at military airfields. He said the firm hoped to secure more orders from military bases and airfields via the exhibition.
Song Zhongping, a military analyst and former People’s Liberation Army instructor, said miniaturised laser-based anti-drone systems could be deployed flexibly across various locations by individual soldiers, creating ad hoc air-defence nodes on the battlefield.
“This new weapon can serve as organic support equipment for field units, particularly at the squad and platoon levels, to protect troops from drone attacks at a lower cost than shoulder-fired missiles,” he said.
Song said the development of this weapon reflected China’s progress in miniaturised laser and power-supply technologies, which he said marked a shift from large-scale equipment and experimental concepts to conventional weaponry.
The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown how drones are redefining modern warfare.
Beijing is doubling down on its UAV offensive and defensive capabilities, with President Xi Jinping repeatedly emphasising that China “must accelerate the development of unmanned intelligent combat forces and countermeasures capabilities”.
The exhibition featured various drone and anti-drone systems. Among the exhibits was the Shazhui-320 subsonic stealth uncrewed target aircraft developed by Zhejiang University’s drone research and development centre.
The promoters said the plane could be modified through its modular design and used in swarm tactics involving 30 aircraft. After its warhead was replaced, it could be converted into a large loitering munition.
