Chinese State Media Unveils Uncommon Video of PLA Counter-Drone Laser and Microwave Systems During Live Combat Exercises

Summary

China's state broadcaster CCTV released rare footage showcasing the People's Liberation Army's counter-drone capabilities during live-fire tactical drills conducted by a brigade of the PLA's 75th Group Army in the Gobi Desert. The exercises demonstrated an "iron triangle" of anti-drone systems, comprising laser weapons, integrated missile-gun systems, and high-power microwave weapons, working in a coordinated layered defense approach against simulated drone swarm attacks at extremely low altitudes. The drills tested a comprehensive range of combat scenarios spanning both daytime and nighttime operations, evaluating rapid response, firepower effectiveness, battlefield maneuvering, and sustained combat readiness under complex and unfamiliar environmental conditions. A key element of the exercise involved realistic battlefield adaptability, where troops were forced to rapidly dismantle, relocate, and redeploy their defensive positions after their location was deemed compromised, simulating genuine combat pressure. Military expert Song Zhongping emphasized that China's drone and counter-drone technologies rank among the world's most advanced, and that such realistic training is essential to refining operational effectiveness of these sophisticated weapons systems.