A Chinese laser-based anti-drone system is rumoured to have been spotted in Iran, marking a significant moment in regional defense dynamics. The sighting, reported in early October, comes at a time when Iran is facing increased tension with Israel, particularly after an Iranian missile strike earlier this month. Military analysts and observers are keenly watching this new development, which may signal deepening military cooperation between China and Iran.
On October 4, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a rare public sermon, an event laden with political undertones and amplified by the volatile security situation in the region. Khamenei’s speech, which justified Iran’s recent ballistic missile attacks and praised its regional proxies, occurred just days after Iran’s strike on Israel. The timing of the sermon, alongside heightened security measures, underscores the importance of the event in Iran’s domestic and international posturing.
During the sermon, photographs of the security setup surfaced online, revealing a variety of defensive systems, including what appeared to be a Chinese-made laser anti-drone system. These images quickly garnered attention from military experts who speculated about the system’s origin and capabilities.
The photos sparked a debate among military observers, with some initially speculating that the system was the ‘Silent Hunter’ laser-based anti-drone platform, a system China unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2022. However, upon further analysis, military experts debunked this claim, noting differences between the system in the photographs and the known design of the Silent Hunter.
Instead, analysts began to identify similarities between the system spotted in Iran and another Chinese anti-drone system known as ‘Shen Nung’ or ‘Shennong.’ Both the Shen Nung and Silent Hunter systems are known for their turret-mounted radars that assist in drone detection and tracking. These systems utilize high-powered lasers capable of destroying drones at close range or blinding them from a greater distance, making them highly effective in counter-drone warfare.
One military expert, speaking anonymously to stated, “It looks more like Shen Nung 3000. But who knows, it might be a different design. Anti-drone laser systems are pretty common, and there are probably tons of products in that category offered by PRC manufacturers.” The source also left open the possibility that the system could be a domestic Iranian creation, reverse-engineered from Chinese designs.
The Shen Nung system is known for its ability to track drones at distances of up to five kilometers, with its laser capable of non-destructive dazzling attacks from over three kilometers away. The laser can also engage targets within a 1.5-kilometer range, potentially destroying them with its 10 to 20 kW power beam.
Given the sensitive timing of Khamenei’s sermon and the increasing tensions between Iran and Israel, it is likely that the system, whether Chinese or Iranian, was deployed to protect Iran’s highest leadership from potential aerial threats, including the possibility of assassination attempts by drones. Israel has demonstrated advanced drone capabilities in the past, and Iran’s defensive measures reflect its concerns about such threats.
While Iran is known for its extensive use and manufacture of drones, including kamikaze-style drones, the country is not immune to aerial threats. This is particularly true when it comes to one-way attack drones that could be deployed by Israel in retaliation for Iran’s missile strike earlier this month.
Iran’s missile strike on Israel has set the stage for a potential Israeli counterstrike, and many speculate that any retaliatory attack could target Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, oil facilities, or even its political leadership. The use of a laser-based counter-drone system could represent Iran’s efforts to shore up its defenses in anticipation of an Israeli response, particularly one involving drones or missiles.
The emergence of laser-based counter-drone systems in conflict zones like Iran highlights the increasing importance of cost-effective solutions in modern warfare. Traditional missile-based air defense systems can be expensive, with each missile costing millions of dollars. In contrast, laser-based systems are relatively cheap to operate, requiring only the cost of electricity, and are capable of neutralizing drones without collateral damage.
Laser systems offer distinct advantages, including the ability to incinerate targets discreetly. In environments where minimizing civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure is paramount, lasers have proven to be an attractive option for countries facing a high volume of drone threats.
The sighting of this alleged Chinese anti-drone system in Iran comes at a critical juncture. Israeli media and military sources have indicated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are contemplating a retaliatory strike against Iran. Possible targets include not only Iran’s nuclear facilities but also its vital oil and energy infrastructure. Additionally, Iran’s political and military leadership, including the Supreme Leader himself, could be in the crosshairs of an Israeli attack.
The use of drones by both Israel and Iran has escalated in recent years, particularly in proxy wars across the region. As drone warfare becomes a central element of military strategy, the development and deployment of counter-drone technologies, including laser-based systems, have become increasingly important.
Although there is no official confirmation that the system spotted in Iran is of Chinese origin, the close military and economic ties between China and Iran make the possibility credible. China has long been a supplier of military technology to Iran, and the two countries have strengthened their relationship in recent years.
China and Iran signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement in 2021, which includes significant Chinese investments in Iran’s economy and infrastructure. The agreement also covers military and technological collaboration, potentially including the transfer of defense technologies like the laser-based counter-drone systems.
Moreover, China has historically refrained from condemning Iran’s military actions, including its recent missile strike on Israel. In a statement following the attack, China’s foreign ministry described the situation as a “spillover of the Gaza conflict” and called for “calm and restraint” while urging the international community to play a constructive role in stabilizing the region.
The growing cooperation between China and Iran has not gone unnoticed by the U.S. and its allies. The Biden administration has raised concerns over the so-called “axis of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea,” which is seen as a collective challenge to U.S. interests in the region and beyond.
China has already been accused of supplying arms to Russia in violation of U.S. sanctions, and concerns are growing that similar transfers may be occurring with Iran. While no direct evidence has surfaced of Chinese arms shipments to Tehran, the possibility of such transfers, including advanced defense systems, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense geopolitical landscape.
The alleged spotting of a Chinese laser-based anti-drone system in Iran comes at a moment of escalating tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv. As the region braces for potential Israeli retaliatory strikes, the presence of advanced defensive systems in Iran, whether Chinese-made or domestically produced, demonstrates the increasing importance of counter-drone technologies in modern warfare.
The relationship between China and Iran, marked by strategic cooperation agreements and military exchanges, continues to shape the security dynamics of the Middle East. As both nations seek to navigate a world dominated by U.S. influence and sanctions, their military collaboration is likely to deepen, further complicating efforts to stabilize the region.
Whether the anti-drone system is indeed of Chinese origin or an Iranian product, its deployment signals Iran’s heightened focus on defense amid looming threats from its adversaries, particularly Israel. As the situation unfolds, observers will be closely watching to see how the use of cutting-edge technology, such as laser-based systems, will impact the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
