China has publicly revealed the capabilities of its latest high-power microwave (HPM) weapon system, which defence scientists say can generate microwave energy of nearly 100 gigawatts (GW). According to Chinese officials, the system is capable of disabling low-Earth orbit satellites, drones, and enemy electronic infrastructure within minutes, marking a significant advancement in directed-energy weapons technology.
Defence experts believe the development could reshape the future of electronic and space warfare. Over the past several years, China has made rapid progress in pulsed-power technology, an area in which it now claims global leadership following the successful completion of key tests. The country has already developed several gigawatt-capacity microwave weapons, some of which have reportedly been supplied to its military.
The 100 GW system was created by linking multiple high-power pulse generators simultaneously, allowing it to release exceptionally strong and concentrated microwave beams. Analysts note that if deployed as an anti-satellite weapon, the technology could pose a serious threat to costly low-Earth orbit satellite networks, including systems such as Starlink.
Experts point out that even a 1 GW microwave pulse is generally sufficient to destroy the electronic components of a satellite entirely. Given this, a weapon with a capacity of 100 GW is believed to be capable of disabling an adversary’s communication systems within moments, raising concerns among defence observers worldwide.
In addition, Chinese scientists have developed a “lithium-ion capacitor hybrid system” that functions instantly and delivers continuous power even in extreme cold, down to minus 40 degrees Celsius, allowing for effective electronic warfare capability in icy and polar regions. China has stated it intends to further miniaturize the technology, reduce its cost, and improve precision for deployment across various military platforms in the future.