China upgrades Type 071 amphibious ship Shiming Shan with advanced laser weapon system.

According to information published by お砂糖wsnbn on August 19, 2024, the Chinese Navy has recently upgraded its Type 071 amphibious transport dock, the Shiming Shan, with a new high-power laser weapon system.
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Chinese Type 071 amphibious transport dock Shiming Shan with a new laser weapon system. (Picture source: @阿黄牛zs/水雷屋)

A photo shows a Chinese naval amphibious landing ship with a new piece of equipment mounted on its B-position, traditionally located just behind the main gun. Analysts suggest this new addition is a cutting-edge laser weapon. 

This laser weapon system seems to be paired with an additional structure extending from the B-position, likely housing the power source necessary to operate the laser.

Historically, military enthusiasts have expressed concerns over the lack of air defense capabilities on China's Type 071 amphibious landing ships, particularly since the B-position had been left unarmed for years, where the HQ-7 air defense missile system was originally intended to be installed.

Laser weapons, as high-energy directed-energy systems, play a crucial role in air defense, especially in intercepting modern threats such as drones and loitering munitions.

Such weapons, particularly those with power levels exceeding 100 kilowatts, have demonstrated critical interception capabilities in various tests and are seen as vital against emerging aerial threats. Both the U.S. and South Korean navies have conducted similar experiments, with the U.S. Navy successfully deploying a laser weapon on the USS Portland to shoot down a drone during trials between 2020 and 2021.

The increasing threat from drones and loitering munitions, highlighted by recent conflicts, underscores the importance of such defensive technologies. Traditionally, naval vessels have relied on expensive anti-air missiles to counter these threats—a method that, while effective, is not cost-efficient. Laser weapons offer a more sustainable and efficient alternative.

China's existing "Silent Hunter" land-based laser weapon systems, which have already been exported to countries like Saudi Arabia, have proven effective in intercepting drones and loitering munitions. These systems, with an output of approximately 50 kilowatts, are limited by their need for mobility and compact size. However, the larger and more powerful versions that could be deployed on ships would offer even greater interception capabilities.