What are High Power Microwave Weapons?
High power microwave weapons are a type of direct energy weapon. It is a form of microwave electro or magnetic radiation. Their wavelengths range from one millimeter to one meter. Their frequency is between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. These are high radio frequencies. It works the same way a microwave works at home. It has a magnet that sends microwave waves. When these waves pass through food or something, they generate heat. These weapons work on the same principle. Evidence shows that China did use these lethal weapons against India at Ladakh
Did China Use High Power Microwave Weapons in the Ladakh clash against India?
The Indian military is denying the reports circulating in the media that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has used “high power microwave weapons” in Ladakh. Indian Army has categorically rejected these claims.
The Chinese military used high-energy electromagnetic radiation” technology to effectively turn “two strategic hilltops that had been occupied by Indian soldiers into a microwave oven.
Joe Evans, The Week, 2020
The Indian Army’s Additional Directorate-General for Public Information (ADGPI) says “Media reports on the use of microwave weapons in East Ladakh are baseless. This news is fake.”
What Indian Experts Say?
Col. Dan Vir Singh, a defense expert and associate editor of the Indian Defense Review, also believes China’s claim is baseless. He says high power microwave weapons are not easy to use in mountainous areas anyway. This is not logical and is purely Chinese propaganda.
Rejecting China’s claim, Singh says, “Think for yourself how much energy would be required to oust the troops at such a height.” He adds if they use high power microwave weapons, it will hurt us. Then imagine, will the Indian army will sit silently and will not retaliate?
He, therefore, regards this news as stuff as nonsense. He argues it may be on a small scale, but the scale that China is claiming is absolutely impossible.
Use of High Power Microwave Weapons on Large Scale?
Rahul Bedi, a senior defense analyst says, this seems to be false news. This sounds like Chinese propaganda and there is no reality in that. He argues that even if they can make a very large magnifying glass, they still have to use it from a distance.
But Rahul Bedi says such weapons are possible. The high power microwave weapons are the reality of the future. He says it’s called ‘non-contact warfare’ in which you don’t use artillery, bullets, or tanks. In this type of war, you use ultraviolet rays. However, he says China’s claim seems fictitious. To him, it’s not clear at what stage China is developing these weapons.
But Rahul Bedi says such weapons are possible. These weapons are the reality of the future. He says it’s called ‘non-contact warfare’ in which you don’t use artillery, bullets, or tanks. In this type of war, you use ultraviolet rays. However, he says China’s claim seems fictitious. To him, it’s not clear at what stage China is developing these weapons.
Mr. Singh says there are “laser-based weapons”. Lasers are used in matters such as riot control. However, the widespread use of laser weapons is not practical.
China Outsmarted India by Using High Power Microwave Weapons?
Jin Canrong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in China has different views. He is of the view that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) used microwave weapons to reclaim two strategic mountains. The army used direct energy weapons (DEWs) on Indian troops in Ladakh.
Chinese media reports claim that the PLA has used microwave weapons. They want to oust the Indian Army from some high places at any cost. Canrong claims the use of these weapons made the Indian soldiers vomit and they were unable to stand within 15 minutes. Indian troops had to instantly leave the hills and PLA troops recaptured the sites.
“Within 15 minutes of the weapons being deployed, those occupying the hilltops all began to vomit. They couldn’t stand up, so they fled.”
Jin Canrong
He also said that during this time, PLA troops did not have to shoot. Thus the agreement between the two countries not to fire remained intact.
The incident happened on August 29, Canrong claims. Both China and India have not publicized the incident for various reasons.
History of High Power Microwave Weapons
Since the discovery of radar in 1930, significant progress has been made on High Power Microwave Weapons. Alan M. Walling’s book High Power Microwaves discusses it at length in his magnum opus, Strategic and Operational Implications for Warfare. It says wireless and radar technology has emerged rapidly in the military. These include advanced aerial warning and weapon fire control.
Scientists and engineers are constantly working on the frequency spectrum and trying to increase energy levels. Additional applications are also being developed.
According to Didi Tang, The Sunday Times, China’s military used high power microwave weapons to force Indian troops to retreat during a months-long border standoff in the Himalayas.
High Power Microwave Weapons is a Reality
Direct energy was once science fiction but now it has become a reality. However, the aspect of high power microwave weapons/technology in the direct energy spectrum is still uncommon.
The Defense Research and Development Institute in India is also working on Direct Energy Weapons.
Direct energy weapons are weapons that eliminate their targets with excessive focus energy. This focused energy includes lasers, microwaves, and particle beams. Potential uses of this technology include weapons that target soldiers, missiles, and optical devices.
Direct energy weapons may be more efficient than conventional weapons. These weapons can secretly destroy the opponent’s army. Radiation is present above and below the spectrum and does not produce sound. Laser or microwave-based high-powered DEWs make enemy drones or missiles useless. Therefore, it is a landmark advancement in defense.
What are your views on it? How do you take it all?
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