China-Made Silent Hunter Laser Struggles in Saudi Desert Conditions

Saudi Arab : Saudi Arabia’s Chinese-made SkyShield counter-drone system is facing serious performance issues in real battlefield conditions, particularly with its Silent Hunter laser module. While the system’s electronic jamming component has proven effective, the laser weapon has struggled under the kingdom’s harsh desert environment.

According to reports from a former Saudi military officer, the Silent Hunter requires up to 15 to 30 minutes of continuous targeting to guarantee the destruction of some drones. Factors such as dust, sand, and extreme heat have weakened the laser’s ability to track and burn through targets. In addition, the system often diverts much of its power to cooling rather than firing, limiting its overall output.

Deployment has also proven slow, with the truck-mounted laser taking extra time to switch from standby to combat mode. Uneven terrain and obstructing infrastructure further reduce its effectiveness by blocking the laser’s line of sight.

By contrast, the jamming systems within SkyShield have performed far more reliably, successfully neutralizing the majority of drone threats in protected zones. This has made the “soft kill” component more dependable than the “hard kill” laser in daily operations.

Saudi officials have already asked Beijing to adapt the Silent Hunter for hot and sandy climates. Until such improvements are delivered, the system’s deployment will remain limited, particularly in frontline areas where drones pose a fast-moving threat.

The case highlights the broader challenge facing directed energy weapons: while they promise low-cost precision, their effectiveness can collapse under environmental stress. For Saudi Arabia, electronic warfare remains the most reliable counter-drone solution, while lasers remain a technology in need of further refinement.