On May 30, 2025, Military Informant released what appears to be the first visual evidence of a Chinese-made laser air defense system used in active combat in Ukraine. The footage, shows a laser system being operated by the Russian special forces unit “Kochevnik,” also referred to as “Nomad.” The video includes sequences showing internal operation of the system, steel plate penetration tests, and the apparent destruction of Ukrainian drones in flight. Ukrainian observers identified the destroyed UAVs as a Shchedryk-type reconnaissance drone, a Skywalker X8, and a decoy drone known as the Distractor.
The footage suggests that engagements took place at distances exceeding 1.3 kilometers.
Its reported power output ranges between 10 and 100 kilowatts, depending on the version, and it can engage targets at distances of up to 4 kilometers. The system is capable of piercing five layers of 2-millimeter steel from a distance of 800 meters or one 5-millimeter plate from 1,000 meters. It includes radar for detection up to 5 kilometers and optical tracking for target engagement at closer ranges. Its laser can operate for up to 200 seconds continuously, and deployment or shutdown can reportedly be completed in under five minutes. Originally unveiled at IDEX 2017 in Abu Dhabi and later exhibited at other events, including KADEX and the Zhuhai Airshow, Silent Hunter has also been used to secure high-profile venues such as the G20 Summit in Hangzhou in 2016 and the World Defense Show in Riyadh in 2024.