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Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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HomeDefenceThese futuristic Chinese space denial weapons can disable or destroy opposing satellites

These futuristic Chinese space denial weapons can disable or destroy opposing satellites

China has developed technology like directed energy weapons and electromagnetic pulses that can dazzle, disable or destroy satellites.

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New Delhi: China has made great advancements in future weapons systems, many of which suggest that the Asian giant is planning a lethal battle against its adversaries, especially when it comes to space denial and disabling or destroying satellites.

From directed energy weapons (DEW) to electromagnetic pulses (EMP) and mobile pulse generators, China has a plethora of options to choose from, most of which are difficult to get information on.

ThePrint takes an exclusive look at these systems through open source satellite imagery to understand the advances made by China.

DEW

In terms of satellite tracking, Chinese technology has grown in leaps and bounds. There are now many space tracking stations dotted all over the country — like one in Ngari, Tibet — which provide accurate data about satellites to be targeted.

Once the accurate satellite path and other data is known, directed energy weapons (DEW) located at five different places can take over the task. One such facility is located in Xinjiang.

Col. Vinayak Bhat (retd) /ThePrint

The facility features four main buildings with sliding roofs. Three of these sheds are connected with two vacuum spheres. The shape and size indicate that possibly chemical lasers are being used with rare earth metals like neodymium.

It is theorised that the equipment under smaller sliding shed is used for tracking, while the other three are used individually or in conjunction with each other, depending on the effect desired on the target satellite — it can be dazzled, disabled or destroyed by high energy lasers from these ground-located DEWs.

EMP experiments

China has been observed undertaking some field experiments on EMPs deep in the mountains of Xinjiang.

Col. Vinayak Bhat (retd) /ThePrint

The test location shows an EMP generator hanging on multiple bar poles — similar to structures observed at Naval Air Station Pax River in Maryland, USA.

A road leads in and out under the cylindrical EMP generator for equipment and vehicles to be placed exactly under the generator.

This facility is used for researching methods of hardening Chinese military equipment and reverse effects on adversaries’ equipment using electronic components.

Mobile pulse generators

Another facility in the vast arid land of Xinjiang is also seen experimenting on mobile pulse generators.

Col. Vinayak Bhat (retd) /ThePrint

These types of non-nuclear pulse generators are used for creating electromagnetic interferences that can disable satellites in a very short span of time.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. The EMP weapons can be the cruelest of all weapons of mass destruction, targeting the most vulnerable, poor, elderly, children, the sick, and the needy. They will be true victims of such horrific weapons of mass destruction. Let the nations of the world ban such atrocities from being used against our fellow human beings. Choose Mercy, not Hate and Violence. Such horrors will only consume us all.

  2. The U.S. has all of this and more. The U.S. can destroy all of china’s communications systems quickly leaving it unable to operate a long-distance military campaign.

  3. If technicalities does not prevent such negotiations, it will be a good deal to procure 2/3rd of 114 fighter jet as Rafael ( as that would provide a most advanced fighter jet at a cheaper rate under the existing make in India contract with Dassault and the French government) and to go for F/A – 18 superhornet for the Indian Navy. Jai Hind.

  4. Everybody knows that the present government is not only in favour of a stronger army, but also doing a lot to strengthen the Army. But the process of finalisation ans acquisition of defence items is too much time-consuming, which needs to be reduced. Moreover, we must maintain a balance between our old and time teste ally Russia and others.

  5. Now it may be fake news but it will not take time for being true. This news are fake because it has been published, if it was true, surely it couldn’t be published, but idea is superb. Our scientist should also try in this path. I think it will not be difficult for us as we have previous experience in this field.

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