By Pishtaz | 2024-11-05

Iranian leader Ali Khamenei's reported use of a Chinese laser defense system to protect himself during a rare public sermon shows both his vulnerability and the Islamic Republic's close military cooperation with the People's Republic of China.

The sermon site in Tehran "was protected by a host of defensive systems for security, including a possible Chinese laser counter-drone system," the EurAsian Times reported November 4.

Military observers spotted the laser system after photos of the event were published online on October 4.

"Many observers have identified the laser counter-drone system seen in the recently emerged pictures as an example of China’s Silent Hunter, but this appears to be incorrect," The War Zone reported.

"A similar, if not identical arrangement is visible in Chinese marketing literature for another counter-drone laser weapon called the Shen Nung (Shennong)."

The weapon also could be "a locally-produced clone/derivative of a Chinese type or an ostensibly domestically-developed design," according to The War Zone.

"Anti-drone laser systems are pretty common, and there are probably tons of products in that category offered by PRC manufacturers," a People's Liberation Army watcher told the EurAsian Times.

"It’s also possible that it isn’t a Chinese product but a domestic Iranian product.”

Iran may have developed a clone of the Chinese system or reverse-engineered a Chinese anti-drone system, the outlet said.

Close ties with China

Images show the laser system "also looks to have been one of a number of counter-drone capabilities emplaced together," The War Zone said.

"Layering different systems together would help provide a broader breadth of coverage against different tiers of uncrewed aerial systems," it said.

"Regardless, it makes sense that Iran’s security services would deploy various kinds of counter-drone and other defensive measures around Khamenei’s appearance," it added.

"Help in acquiring these capabilities and doing so rapidly, especially to help protect the Supreme Leader, would also be a very likely top ask from the Iranian government to its Chinese counterparts, with which it has a close relationship."

"It is unclear if Iran has developed a laser defense system of its own," CNN reported November 1, noting that experts say the Iranian regime is suspected to have the Chinese-made 'Silent Hunter' laser weapon.

According to Iranian state media, the Iranian regime in 2022 said it was "capable of manufacturing laser weapons to defend… sensitive regions."

"Although Iran has earned the reputation of being one of the largest manufacturers of small and inexpensive kamikaze drones, it is not completely immune to the threat from one-way attack drones either," per the EurAsian Times.

"Moreover, the substantial expenses associated with intercepting drones and missiles have led to an increased focus on laser-based systems in contemporary warfare."