China’s new anti-drone weapon is laser on wheels: Why it matters for modern warfare

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) appears to be developing an amphibious armoured vehicle fitted with a laser weapon and additional sensors to counter drones, potentially giving frontline forces greater protection during a possible Taiwan landing operation. The new variant of the Type 19 8x8 combat vehicle was seen in unverified images posted on Chinese social media on August 29, as Taiwan moves to rapidly expand its own drone capabilities.The development comes as Taipei prepares to spend billions of dollars on uncrewed systems. On September 3, Taiwan’s cabinet proposed a NT$145.7 billion ($4.6 billion) supplementary defence budget that includes more than 600 coastal surveillance and reconnaissance drones and over 40,000 coastal attack drones. The package still needs legislative approval.The combination points to a battlefield in which drones could play a major role on both sides.