BEIJING — China’s state broadcaster CCTV News has released rare footage showing People’s Liberation Army (PLA) counter-drone units conducting live-fire, combat-oriented drills in the Gobi Desert. The exercise featured laser weapons, high-power microwave (HPM) systems and integrated missile-gun platforms working together as an “iron triangle” of counter-drone equipment.
PLA Conducts Multi-Scenario Counter-Drone Drill
An air-defence brigade from the PLA’s 75th Group Army conducted the exercise from daylight into the night. The training focused on rapid response, coordinated firepower, battlefield mobility and sustained combat readiness in the unfamiliar Gobi Desert environment.
According to CCTV, the units moved to designated positions after receiving orders. Early-warning radar then detected a dense swarm of drones flying at extremely low altitude.
Laser and Microwave Systems Engage Drone Swarm
Ground-based laser and HPM systems were activated against the incoming drones. The laser weapons use high-energy beams to damage individual airborne targets.
The HPM system is mounted on an eight-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with a large panel and detection radar. It uses microwave pulses to damage the electronic components of drones and can affect multiple drones across a wider area.
Targets that passed through the initial layer were engaged by interceptor drones. Remaining targets were then attacked by integrated missile-gun systems.
These systems combine a six-barrel rotary cannon with four short-range air-defence missile launchers. They can use gunfire and missiles against small, slow and low-flying targets and can operate independently or as part of a networked air-defence system.
Mobility and Night Operations Tested
The exercise also simulated a situation in which the defensive position was exposed. Troops withdrew, relocated equipment, rapidly established new firing positions and applied camouflage before restoring the air-defence network.
During the nighttime phase, radar, electro-optical and infrared systems continued searching for aerial targets, allowing the units to maintain detection and tracking throughout the exercise.
PLA serviceman Jia Jingcheng, quoted by CCTV, said the training focused on coordinating different air-defence systems, assessing complex aerial threats, handling unexpected situations and combining different attack methods.
Another serviceman, He Qing, said the exercise combined responses to different aerial threats with battlefield manoeuvring and unexpected situations in the complex Gobi Desert environment. He said the training was intended to strengthen rapid reaction, mobile defence and sustained readiness.
Cost Challenge of Countering Drone Swarms
CCTV highlighted the cost difference between inexpensive drones and conventional air-defence missiles. It said long-range air-defence missiles can cost millions of dollars each, while short-range missiles can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Using lasers and microwaves alongside guns, missiles and interceptor drones provides additional engagement options against large numbers of low-cost drones.
Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Xuefeng, quoted by CCTV, said inexpensive drones pose challenges because they can be used in large numbers and have small size, low flight altitude and limited radar signatures.
Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping, quoted by the Global Times, said China’s drone and counter-drone technologies rank among the world’s most advanced after years of development. He said realistic training helps refine the use of these systems and that China would continue testing them under realistic combat conditions.
Part of China’s Counter-Drone Development
The combination of laser, microwave and missile-gun systems was publicly presented as a coordinated counter-drone capability during China’s September 2025 military parade.
The latest Gobi Desert exercise shows how PLA ground forces are training to integrate these systems with radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors for mobile, day-and-night defence against low-altitude drone swarms.
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