China unveils man-portable anti-drone laser that can burn through a drone 1,600 feet away in four seconds

Chinese defense company Harbin Xinguang Optic-Electronics showcased two portable anti-drone laser systems, the Lijian II and Lijian III, at a recent Beijing defense equipment exhibition. Weighing 30kg... Read original →

Harbin Xinguang’s portable laser systems signal a tactical shift in directed-energy deployment, driving demand for ultra-low-power AI accelerators built on sub-3nm nodes—potentially boosting advanced packaging investments by foundries in Taiwan, China. The U.S. may tighten export controls on EUV support services under revised Defense Production Act provisions, raising compliance costs for Chinese optical sensor supply chains. Competitors like Israel’s Rafael or U.S. firms could pivot to hybrid ‘laser + RF jamming’ architectures to preserve technological edges. Within 18 months, mini-drone makers will likely adopt anti-laser coatings and evasive maneuver algorithms, triggering a new countermeasure cycle. Crucially, dual-use AI chips enabling target recognition risk inclusion under updated Wassenaar Arrangement controls, forcing hard-tech firms to overhaul export compliance frameworks.