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Recent reports from a US defense news outlet reveal that the Chinese navy has fitted one of its Type 071 amphibious transport dock ships with a laser weapon. Images that surfaced on social media platform X earlier this month show the laser system installed on the ship, a development that highlights China’s growing focus on advanced defense capabilities. Such laser systems are designated to fight against UAVs, satellite networks, and other such attack or surveillance technologies.
The Type 071, an amphibious transport dock commissioned in 2007, was the largest operational amphibious ship in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) until 2021, when the Type 075 entered service. With an estimated 25,000 tonnes displacement, the Type 071 has a flight deck, a hangar, and capacity to accommodate up to four Z-8 transport helicopters and approximately 60 armored fighting vehicles, according to Interesting Engineering. The recent refit of one such ship appears to have included the installation of a laser weapon system, identifiable by its dome-like movable cover.
The laser weapon, positioned behind the ship’s 76mm dual-purpose gun, was noted in images, reports The War Zone (TWZ). While the photos provided limited information about the specific capabilities of the laser system or the exact ship and its location, the images suggest that the vessel in question may have a hull number beginning with “98.”
Experts believe that laser weapons represent the future of military defense due to their power and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional systems. Laser-based weapons offer several advantages, including the ability to engage drones—an increasingly prevalent threat in modern warfare—at a lower cost per shot. Unlike conventional munitions, lasers can fire an unlimited number of rounds as long as there is a reliable power source available.
This development in laser technology aligns with global trends, as major powers like the US and China actively pursue advancements in this field. The Type 071’s new laser system is likely intended as a test platform, paving the way for broader deployment across China’s naval fleet and potentially setting a precedent for future integration of such systems into military operations.
