Pakistan interested in Chinese laser weapons, former navy commander says
Islamabad ‘would love to see some integration’ with hi-tech Chinese weapons, vice-admiral Ahmed Saeed says
“In the coming days, high-energy directed weapons will be more prominent… I think the world is going towards this transition. Pakistan would love to see some integration [with China] into this area,” Ahmed Saeed, president of the National Institute of Maritime Affairs, said on the sidelines of Beijing’s Xiangshan Forum on Friday.
China’s LY-1 shipborne laser was among the weapons on display in this month’s parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan in World War II.
The weapon uses lasers or microwaves instead of conventional projectiles, and is designed to shoot down drones, blind sensors or disable electronics.
Beijing has said the lasers are already in service, but the ships upon which they are deployed have not been made public.
The laser is seen as Beijing’s answer to America’s High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (Helios), which has been deployed aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble.