China has revealed a high‑power microwave weapon capable of generating up to 20 gigawatts and potentially disabling satellites in space.
BEIJING: Chinese researchers have unveiled a high‑power microwave weapon described as capable of targeting satellites in orbit, marking a significant development in directed‑energy technology. The system, designated TPG1000Cs, reportedly produces microwave power reaching up to 20 gigawatts, with as little as one gigawatt considered sufficient to disrupt or disable satellite electronics, according to reporting by the South China Morning Post.
The TPG1000Cs emits sustained microwave pulses that can last for up to 60 seconds, giving it both potency and duration in directed‑energy engagements. Despite its high power output, the system is relatively compact for its class. It measures approximately four metres in length and weighs under five tonnes, a size that could allow for flexible deployment by military or research units.
Directed‑energy weapons of this type focus electromagnetic energy to interfere with or damage electronic systems without traditional kinetic projectiles. The disclosed capability suggests China is advancing research in counter‑space and electronic warfare technologies that could challenge existing satellite infrastructure.
Details on the operational status, testing timeline or deployment plans for the TPG1000Cs remain limited, and it is unclear whether the weapon has moved beyond prototype phases into active service. Analysts caution that directed‑energy technologies often face technical hurdles in power supply, targeting precision and atmospheric interference.
Still, the announcement reflects a broader trend of nations investing in technologies that could influence the future of space security and strategic deterrence. Space‑based assets, including communications, navigation and Earth observation satellites, play a critical role in military and civilian systems worldwide, making them a focal point of emerging defence research.
China’s development of high‑power microwave systems underscores the growing intersection of advanced physics, military strategy and space technology in global security competition.
-Agencies
