Amid a dazzling military parade watched by the world, China put its growing military might on full display on Wednesday.
But amid the rows of perfectly marching soldiers and the rumble of armored tanks, one seemingly modest white box caught the attention of experts and global leaders alike.
This small device, mounted on a naval transporter, represents the LY-1 shipborne laser weapon—a bold step into next-generation warfare that could challenge the long-standing dominance of Western powers.
Xi Jinping Showcases the LY-1 to Global Leaders
Standing alongside Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping highlighted the LY-1 during the Flushing Meadows-style parade.
While China is not the first nation to develop laser weapons, experts say the LY-1 could surpass the capabilities of rivals, hinting at a significant shift in naval warfare.
Though its full capabilities remain under wraps, analysts warn that it could disable electronics, blind sensors, and even impair pilots mid-flight.
Early speculation suggests the system could autonomously track and destroy incoming threats once detected by a ship’s radar.
Britain Enters the Laser Arms Race with DragonFire
China is not alone in this high-tech arms race. Across the globe, Britain is also investing heavily in energy weapons.
Its high-energy laser, DragonFire, is part of a £5 billion program designed to protect troops and naval vessels with advanced drone and laser technology.
DragonFire has been trialled at ranges across Scotland and Wiltshire, showing it can reliably lock onto and destroy drones.
Developed by MBDA, QinetiQ, and Leonardo, the system operates in the 50-kilowatt class.
Impressively, each shot costs only a few pounds compared to the hundreds of thousands spent on conventional missiles.
Plans are in place to deploy DragonFire on Royal Navy ships from 2027, while a land-based version is also being tested on army vehicles.
British lasers have even been tested against heat-seeking missiles on aircraft, achieving a 100% success rate in trials conducted in Sweden.
The Ministry of Defence boasts that DragonFire can hit targets with “precision equivalent to striking a £1 coin from a kilometre away” and operates at a fraction of the cost of traditional munitions.
America Leads with a Wide Array of Laser Systems
The United States, meanwhile, has invested billions into laser research, arguably staying ahead of both Britain and China.
Reports indicate Washington spends around $1 billion annually to advance its energy weapons.
One of America’s most advanced systems, the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS), is now deployed on the USS Preble.
Built by Lockheed Martin, this 60-kilowatt-class weapon can burn drones out of the sky and blind enemy sensors, all while delivering concentrated energy at the speed of light.
HELIOS is tied to the ship’s radar and fire control systems for automatic threat response and also provides long-range surveillance.
Experts note that the system is designed to allow future upgrades up to 120 kilowatts or beyond, offering powerful firepower at a fraction of missile costs.
The Future of Laser Warfare
As China, Britain, and the United States race to perfect energy weapons, it’s clear that laser technology could redefine modern combat.
Low-cost, rapid-response, and capable of targeting threats at the speed of light, these systems may soon supplement—or even replace—some traditional munitions.
From the LY-1 quietly stealing the spotlight in China’s parade to HELIOS and DragonFire proving their worth in trials, the era of laser warfare is rapidly approaching, and the global balance of military power may never be the same.