Saudi Arabia is encountering operational difficulties with China’s laser-based air defense systems, particularly the “Sky Shield,” designed to counter drones.
According to reports, the systems—developed by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC)—have shown reduced effectiveness under the kingdom’s harsh environmental conditions.
A former Saudi army officer revealed that dust and sand interfered with the system’s optical tracking and weakened the power of the laser beam, while extreme heat demanded heavy cooling, which undermined interception performance. Operators reportedly needed up to half an hour to successfully lock onto and neutralize targets.
Saudi officials have asked Beijing to improve the technology to withstand desert conditions, but until upgrades are made, the equipment’s deployment remains limited. The experience highlights the broader vulnerabilities of laser weapons, which, despite their low operating costs, remain highly sensitive to weather and terrain.
