Drones and satellites are among the fastest-evolving sectors in contemporary weaponry, and as always, China stands at the forefront of this technological race, according to Meta Defense. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their associated technologies are now integral to nearly every level of military operations—whether in the air, on land, at sea, or underwater. Meanwhile, satellites have become indispensable for communication, data transmission, intelligence gathering, and increasingly for precision weapon guidance.
The rapid advancements in these fields have fueled the illusion that drones and space technologies might soon replace—or rather, supplant—traditional systems like tanks, armored vehicles, piloted aircraft, warships, and submarines. For instance, in September 2023, the First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, Admiral Ben Key, dubbed the emergence of drones in the Black Sea a “Dreadnought moment,” likening it to the revolutionary introduction of armored battleships. Shortly after, Elon Musk boldly proclaimed the end of the era of fighter jets, tanks, and surface ships, predicting their replacement by drones across all domains of warfare.
However, experts are now observing the rise of counter-technologies designed specifically to neutralize these new weapons, and once again, China is leading the charge, notes Meta Defense. The country is developing directed-energy weapons (DEWs), high-energy lasers, microwave guns, electronic warfare (EW) systems, and kinetic interceptors to defend against drones and disable enemy satellites.
China’s Microwave Gun: A Game-Changer in Electronic Warfare
Chinese military engineers have unveiled the results of testing what is claimed to be the world’s most powerful microwave gun to date. This directed-energy weapon can generate a localized electromagnetic field as intense as that produced by a nuclear explosion, capable of destroying enemy drones and even satellites. According to Asia Times, this innovation promises to redefine electronic warfare.
Laboratory tests of the microwave gun are ongoing, but it’s already known that it can produce electric fields with voltages reaching up to 80,000 volts. This weapon is designed to disable or destroy electronic components in enemy systems—think microchips melting in an instant, reminiscent of the sci-fi concepts in Liu Cixin’s novel Ball Lightning. Research conducted by a joint team from the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha and the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xi’an has overcome a critical challenge: preventing the weapon from self-destructing due to its own ultra-powerful pulses.
The microwave gun employs phased array radar (PAR) technology for precise energy focusing, enhancing its range and impact. Unlike traditional flat antenna arrays, PAR allows electronic beam steering without physically moving the antenna, enabling rapid and accurate targeting of multiple objects simultaneously. During trials, the weapon withstood over 5,000 full-power pulses without failure, maintaining an impressive 96.6% efficiency rate. For comparison, the barrel of even the most advanced artillery cannon would melt long before enduring 5,000 consecutive shots.
Countering U.S. Threats in the Indo-Pacific
This microwave gun is part of China’s broader strategy to counter potential threats from the U.S. military, which plans to deploy precision weaponry in the Indo-Pacific region. It offers a decisive advantage against multiple targets, such as drone swarms and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. As Asia Times highlights, the weapon can silently disable electronic systems without visible damage—microchips are incinerated, leaving no trace of the attack.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is also advancing its anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities to target communication satellites like Elon Musk’s Starlink network. China is intensifying its development of both ground-based and space-based counterspace technologies, with high-frequency weapons forming a key part of this arsenal. These efforts aim to neutralize the U.S.’s growing reliance on satellite networks and drone swarms, such as those developed under the Pentagon’s Replicator program—a project focused on rapidly deploying disposable air, sea, and land kamikaze drones.
Beyond Microwaves: A Multi-Layered Approach
China’s technological push extends beyond microwave guns. The PLA is investing heavily in high-energy lasers (HELs), which can burn through drone hulls or blind satellite sensors, and kinetic interceptors, designed to physically destroy targets in orbit. Electronic warfare systems, including satellite jammers, are also being refined to disrupt enemy communications and navigation, such as GPS and BeiDou signals. According to Svobodnaya Pressa, these developments signal China’s intent to dominate not just terrestrial battlefields but also the space domain.
In 2024, China showcased its latest counter-drone laser system at the Zhuhai Airshow, capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges exceeding 5 kilometers. This system, mounted on a mobile platform, integrates radar and planar arrays for precise tracking and neutralization. Meanwhile, space-based directed-energy weapons are reportedly in development, with potential deployment by the late 2020s, aimed at countering U.S. satellite constellations like Starlink.
The Illusion of Replacement vs. Evolution
While drones and satellites have transformed modern warfare, the notion that they will entirely replace traditional systems may be premature. As Stacie Pettyjohn noted in a 2024 Center for a New American Security report, drones represent an “evolution” rather than a “revolution” in warfare. Their impact, while significant, is tempered by limitations like battery life, vulnerability to countermeasures, and the rapid adaptation of adversaries. Tanks, fighter jets, and warships remain vital, especially when paired with advanced countermeasures like China’s microwave and laser systems.
The Ukraine conflict has demonstrated this balance firsthand—drones have reshaped tactics, but traditional artillery and armored units continue to dominate. China’s advancements suggest a hybrid future, where drones and satellites enhance, rather than supplant, conventional forces, while counter-technologies like DEWs ensure no single system gains unchallenged supremacy.
Global Implications and the Arms Race
China’s progress in directed-energy weapons and counterspace technologies has sparked a global arms race. The U.S. is responding with its own initiatives, such as the Replicator program and investments in high-power microwave (HPM) systems like the Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR), designed to counter drone swarms. Russia, India, and European nations are also accelerating their DEW programs, recognizing the strategic importance of drones and satellites in future conflicts.
In the Indo-Pacific, where tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea simmer, China’s microwave gun and ASAT capabilities could tip the balance. A 2025 Asia Times analysis warns that these weapons might neutralize U.S. surveillance drones and communication satellites, disrupting operations across vast distances. The ability to target Starlink satellites, which provide critical internet and military connectivity, underscores China’s focus on asymmetric warfare.
Conclusion: A New Battlefield Paradigm
China’s microwave gun and its broader arsenal of directed-energy and counterspace weapons signal a shift in modern warfare. Far from rendering traditional systems obsolete, these advancements complement them, creating a multi-layered battlefield where drones, satellites, and countermeasures coexist. As Meta Defense and Asia Times note, China’s lead in this domain challenges the U.S. and its allies to adapt swiftly—or risk losing their edge in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The future of war may not belong solely to drones or satellites, but to those who master the art of countering them.
