Latest news with #SilentHunter
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
'Silent Hunter': Has China armed Russia with a laser gun to shoot down drones?
Russia appears to be using a Chinese-origin laser weapon system to shoot down Ukrainian drones, according to video footage circulating on Russian Telegram channels. The laser, known as Silent Hunter, is allegedly operated by special forces and marks a new development in China's alleged role in the Ukraine war, despite Beijing's official denials of military aid read more The Silent Hunter, or LASS (Low-Altitude Laser Defending System), is a turret-mounted platform equipped with optical targeting sensors and a 30 kW laser. Image/X A series of pro-Russian Telegram videos and Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest that Russia may now be using a powerful Chinese-made laser weapon, the Silent Hunter, to shoot down Ukrainian drones on the battlefield. This development, if verified, could mark one of the most significant pieces of Chinese military technology deployed in the war so far, despite Beijing's continued claims of neutrality and denial of providing lethal aid to Moscow. What is the 'Silent Hunter' The laser system shown in recent footage features a turret-mounted platform emerging from a vehicle, with troops seen operating it from inside using joysticks and digital screens. The footage transitions to the laser piercing holes into a steel plate, and then shows Ukrainian drones catching fire and spiralling to the ground. Burnt drone parts are later displayed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The video, initially posted on the Military Information Telegram channel, was widely shared on platforms and shows what military analysts say closely resembles the Low-Altitude Laser Defending System (LASS), also referred to as Silent Hunter. 🇷🇺📹 Russian sources have released footage showing the use of the Chinese Low-Altitude Laser Defending System (LASS) to shoot down Ukrainian drones in the combat zone. These appear to be the first documented visuals of the Chinese laser system in operational use in Ukraine. — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) May 31, 2025 This system was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, a state-owned enterprise. First fielded during the 2016 G20 summit in Hangzhou, it is designed to search, track, blind, and neutralise enemy drones. The weapon is mounted on a vehicle, typically an SUV, allowing for high mobility. Its upgraded version, reportedly revealed in 2024, expanded its effective engagement range: capable of detecting aerial targets up to 3.1 miles away, blinding them at 2 miles, and destroying them at 1 mile. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 'soft kill' or blinding range was extended to 6.2 miles, while the 'hard kill' or destruction range was pushed to 3.7 miles. It operates with a 30-kilowatt laser capable of piercing a 5mm-thick steel plate at a distance of 1,000 metres, and it takes approximately eight seconds to lock onto and neutralise a target. Cost-effectiveness is one of its major advantages, as each use of the system is estimated to cost less than £10 — a fraction of the price of conventional missiles like Britain's Sea Viper, which can cost up to £1 million, reported The Eurasian Times. Is there evidence of its deployment in the Russia-Ukraine war? According to Ukraine's Vodohrai Telegram channel, the drones shown in the video included a Shchedryk-type UAV, a Skywalker X8 and a decoy drone known as the Distractor. Ukraine's Militarnyi news outlet assessed that these drones were engaged from distances greater than 0.8 miles, suggesting operational use well within the Silent Hunter's claimed range. Ukrainian military sources also assert that the system is currently being operated by a mobile air defence unit from the Kochevnik special operations group, and has been deployed since at least October. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Separate pro-Russian sources have identified the team as the Nomad special forces squad. Analysts who reviewed the video noted a strong resemblance between the system seen in Russia and earlier sightings of similar Chinese systems in Iran and Saudi Arabia. In 2024, a Silent Hunter unit was spotted in Tehran during a public sermon by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reported The Telegraph. Saudi Arabia has reportedly deployed the system against reconnaissance UAVs used by Houthi militants in Yemen, who themselves rely on Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones — the same model used by Russia in Ukraine. Military commentators in Russia now argue that recent combat use has overturned the earlier domestic scepticism about laser weapons. The Military Informant Telegram channel wrote, 'Previously, there was an opinion in the domestic information environment that combat lasers were useless and expensive toys… However, new threats identified during the full-on invasion of Ukraine forced the search for alternative methods of counteraction. Thanks to the development of new technologies, laser systems have become an effective tool for the destruction of Ukrainian UAVs.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Where does that leave China? Despite the mounting evidence, Beijing has repeatedly denied providing lethal aid to Russia. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists that 'China has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict' and that it 'strictly controls dual-use items.' China's denials have done little to quell accusations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated, 'Russia's involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting.' Zelenskyy has also accused China of supplying Russia with weaponry and gunpowder. Reports had also emerged in April that two Chinese soldiers were captured in Ukraine fighting alongside Russian forces. While Western intelligence services noted that it was unlikely these soldiers were sent officially by Beijing, it remains a troubling sign. Russia is known to recruit foreign nationals through informal and irregular channels. The head of Ukraine's intelligence service, Oleh Ivashchenko, added in May that the country could 'confirm' the presence of Chinese-made materials in at least 20 Russian military factories, reported The Eurasian Times. According to Ukrainian intelligence, around 80 per cent of the electronics in Russian drones now originate from China — a claim also echoed by the US State Department, which has stated, 'China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine. China provides nearly 80 per cent of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Does Russia have a similar laser weapon? Prior to the suspected deployment of the Chinese laser system, Russia had already developed its own laser weaponry, including the Persevet and Zadira systems. However, there has been little public documentation of their deployment in active combat scenarios. In August 2023, Russia's state media outlet RIA Novosti reported successful field tests of an unnamed laser gun, which allegedly destroyed a number of drones. While this was framed as a breakthrough, no video evidence or operational reports have since emerged. Earlier this year, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov revealed that the Pantsir air defence system would soon be upgraded to include a laser complex. This modernisation push reflects Russia's interest in integrating energy weapons into its broader defence network, particularly as drones continue to play a central role in Ukraine's resistance efforts. Still, despite these domestic efforts, the recent visual evidence of a Chinese laser system being actively used on the front lines raises questions about whether Russian-made alternatives have proven inadequate or delayed. There has been a shift to laser weapons as they offer several advantages over traditional missile-based systems. They are cost-effective, can be deployed repeatedly without reloading, and can destroy aerial threats with minimal collateral damage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These characteristics make them ideal for the high-volume drone threats seen in current conflict zones. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
China's ‘Silent Hunter' laser gun shooting down Ukrainian drones
Credit: Telegram/ Milinfolive Russia has been using a Chinese-made laser to shoot down Ukrainian drones despite persistent claims from Beijing it is not offering military support to Moscow. New footage shows Russian troops operating the Silent Hunter low-altitude laser defence system, and taking out Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) nearly a mile away. The weapon would be one of the most significant and sophisticated pieces of equipment that Russia has obtained from China during the three-year war on Ukraine. Designed to search for, track and take down enemy drones, the laser can be mounted on top of an SUV and operated from within the vehicle. From there, it can detect targets 3.1 miles away, blind them at two miles away and shoot them down when they are a mile out. The 30-kilowatt laser can pierce a 5mm-thick steel plate 1,000m away. It takes just eight seconds between locking onto a target and bringing it down. In a video shared on Russian Telegram channels, the laser is seen slowly emerging from a camouflage net before shooting towards a steel plate in the distance and piercing it with several holes. The video continues with a split screen of the laser shooting down Ukrainian UAVs. Ukraine's Vodohrai Telegram channel claimed the drones in the footage were a Shchedryk-type UAV, a Skywalker X8 and a decoy drone known as the Distractor. The footage suggests the drones were shot down from distances greater than 0.8 miles, according to Ukrainian military news outlet Militarnyi. The report also claimed the laser is being operated by a mobile air defence team within the 'Kochevnik' special operations group and has been in use in Russia since at least Oct 2024. The Silent Hunter was developed by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and was first put into operation during the G20 summit in Hangzhou, a city in eastern China, in 2016. The system includes radar and an optical station for detection, tracking and targeting. An updated version was revealed in 2024 with an extended hard kill range of 3.7 miles and a soft kill range – the distance needed to blind or interfere – of 6.2 miles. The cost of operating laser weapons is typically less than £10 per shot, which makes them low-cost alternatives to missiles for certain tasks. In comparison, the British Sea Viper missiles that were shot from HMS Diamond in the Red Sea to take down the Iranian-backed Houthis' drones and missiles cost roughly £1 million each. Along with Russia, the Silent Hunter is known to be in use in Saudi Arabia and in Iran. Saudi Arabia has previously deployed the laser system against reconnaissance UAVs used by the Houthi militia in Yemen. Houthis have Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, which are the same as the ones that Russia has used against Ukraine. The Silent Hunter was also spotted in Iran in late 2024 during a public sermon by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It's unclear how many of the laser systems China has manufactured and sold over the years, but so far only one has been reported in use by Russia, becoming the latest in a long list of Chinese equipment allegedly used by Moscow. In April, two Chinese soldiers were captured in Ukraine, fighting alongside Russian forces. Western intelligence sources said it was unlikely the soldiers were sent directly by China. Russia routinely recruits foreign nationals into its armed forces through irregular means. In any case, Volodymyr Zelensky said: 'Russia's involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting.' The US called the capture of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia 'disturbing'. Mr Zelensky further accused China of supplying Russia with weapons and gunpowder. A month later, Oleh Ivashchenko, the head of Ukraine's intelligence service, said that Ukraine could 'confirm' that China was providing important materials and equipment to 20 Russian military factories. According to the agency, at least 80 per cent of the electronics used in Russian drones originated from China. This assessment was backed up by the US state department, which said: 'China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine. China provides nearly 80 per cent of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war.' Beijing denied allegations that it sent weapons and gunpowder claiming that 'China has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict' and 'strictly controls dual-use items'. The foreign ministry refused to respond to questions about Russia's use of the Silent Hunter over the phone, instead referring The Telegraph to its daily in person press conference. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
China's ‘Silent Hunter' laser gun shooting down Ukrainian drones
Russia has been using a Chinese-made laser to shoot down Ukrainian drones despite persistent claims from Beijing it is not offering military support to Moscow. New footage shows Russian troops operating the Silent Hunter Low-Altitude Laser Defence System, and taking out Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) nearly a mile away. The weapon would be one of the most significant and sophisticated pieces of equipment that Russia has obtained from China during the three-year war on Ukraine. Designed to search for, track and take down enemy drones, the laser can be mounted on top of an SUV and operated from within the vehicle. From there, it can detect targets 3.1 miles away, blind them at two miles away and shoot them down when they are a mile out. The 30-kilowatt laser can pierce a 5mm-thick steel plate 1,000m away. It takes just eight seconds between locking onto a target and bringing it down. In a video shared on Russian Telegram channels, the laser is seen slowly emerging from a camouflage net before shooting towards a steel plate in the distance and piercing it with several holes. The video continues with a split screen of the laser shooting down Ukrainian UAVs. Ukraine's Vodohrai Telegram channel claimed the drones in the footage were a Shchedryk-type UAV, a Skywalker X8 and a decoy drone known as the Distractor. The footage suggests the drones were shot down from distances greater than 0.8 miles, according to Ukrainian military news outlet Militarnyi. The report also claimed the laser is being operated by a mobile air defence team within the 'Kochevnik' special operations group and has been in use in Russia since at least Oct 2024. The Silent Hunter was developed by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and was first put into operation during the G20 summit in Hangzhou, a city in eastern China, in 2016. The system includes radar and an optical station for detection, tracking and targeting. An updated version was revealed in 2024 with an extended hard kill range of 3.7 miles and a soft kill range – the distance needed to blind or interfere – of 6.2 miles. The cost of operating laser weapons is typically less than £10 per shot, which makes them low-cost alternatives to missiles for certain tasks. In comparison, the British Sea Viper missiles that were shot from HMS Diamond in the Red Sea to take down the Iranian-backed Houthis' drones and missiles cost roughly £1 million each. Along with Russia, the Silent Hunter is known to be in use in Saudi Arabia and in Iran. Saudi Arabia has previously deployed the laser system against reconnaissance UAVs used by the Houthi militia in Yemen. Houthis have Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, which are the same as the ones that Russia has used against Ukraine. The Silent Hunter was also spotted in Iran in late 2024 during a public sermon by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It's unclear how many of the laser systems China has manufactured and sold over the years, but so far only one has been reported in use by Russia, becoming the latest in a long list of Chinese equipment allegedly used by Moscow. Chinese aid for Russia In April, two Chinese soldiers were captured in Ukraine, fighting alongside Russian forces. Western intelligence sources said it was unlikely the soldiers were sent directly by China. Russia routinely recruits foreign nationals into its armed forces through irregular means. In any case, Volodymyr Zelensky said: 'Russia's involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting.' The US called the capture of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia 'disturbing'. Mr Zelensky further accused China of supplying Russia with weapons and gunpowder. A month later, Oleh Ivashchenko, the head of Ukraine's intelligence service, said that Ukraine could 'confirm' that China was providing important materials and equipment to 20 Russian military factories. According to the agency, at least 80 per cent of the electronics used in Russian drones originated from China. This assessment was backed up by the US state department, which said: 'China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine. China provides nearly 80 per cent of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war.' Beijing denied allegations that it sent weapons and gunpowder claiming that 'China has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict' and 'strictly controls dual-use items'. The foreign ministry refused to respond to questions about Russia's use of the Silent Hunter over the phone, instead referring The Telegraph to its daily in person press conference.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
China's Silent Hunter Laser Failed To Prevent Ukraine Drones In Russia? Beijing Says…
A newly surfaced video allegedly shows Russian forces using a Chinese-made anti-drone laser system, known as the Silent Hunter, just before Ukraine launched a major drone barrage on Russian airfields. Shared by pro-Russian sources, the video captures the system in action, firing at drones and targeting steel plates. Social media users identified it as the LASS or Low Altitude Laser Defending System, developed by a top Chinese defense institute. While the footage suggests the system is operational, its timing—just ahead of Ukraine's successful drone strike—raises questions about its effectiveness. China has denied providing offensive weapons, and neither Russia nor Ukraine has officially confirmed the footage.#ChinaLaser #SilentHunter #ukrainewar #RussiaUkraineConflict #dronestrike #MilitaryTech #Warfare2025 #LaserDefense Read More
South China Morning Post
22-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's anti-drone arms tech draws Mideast interest as militaries seek latest edge
Chinese arms contractors were among the global defence suppliers who flocked to the Middle East to showcase their latest counter-unmanned aerial vehicles (CUAV) during the region's largest military exhibition. Advertisement The turnout for the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) this week in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, was another sign of the increasingly important roles drones are playing in warfare. Chinese companies were promoting their latest systems designed to defend against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). China's Poly Technologies showed off a laser defence system called 'Silent Hunter', an export variant of the domestically produced 'Low Altitude Guardian' laser system, reportedly the first ever to use lasers in striking small and slow air targets flying at low altitude. China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation displayed miniature models referred to as an 'anti UAV system' – multiple CUAV systems, which included FK-2000 missile gun integrated weapon systems and FK-3000 air defence weapon systems. Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at United States-based think tank Rand Corporation, said that with drones becoming a 'major factor on the modern battlefield', many countries were looking to 'enhance their defences against these novel weapons'. Advertisement 'China's new anti-drone systems are likely to find many interested buyers, especially if the US limits what it is willing to sell,' Heath said.
