A defence fair in Beijing has shown portable laser weapons that can be carried by a single soldier to shoot down drones, realising a vision that was once the domain of science fiction. The Lijian series, meaning “sharp swords”, developed by Chinese defence supplier Harbin Xinguang Optic-Electronics Technology, was displayed at the Defence Information Equipment & Technology Exhibition 2026, a three-day event that started in Beijing on Tuesday. The Lijian series uses high-energy lasers to shoot...