China wants to install high-powered lasers on its nuclear submarines to knock out enemy spy satellites

CHINA wants to install high-­powered lasers on its nuclear submarines to knock out enemy spy satellites.

Defence scientists reckon the Star Wars-style weapons could zap orbiting tech and enemy aircraft in a fraction of a second using a targeted beam of light.

AFP

China wants to install high-­powered lasers on its nuclear submarines to take down satellites[/caption]

Getty

Researchers explained how ‘when the satellite enters the attackable range, the laser weapon is raised’ from the submarine[/caption]

The UK has around seven military satellites which are now vital for command and control of its forces around the world, while the US has 247.

Details of the plans have been published in the Chinese Defence magazine Command Control & Simulation.

Researchers explained in the article how a laser could fire by breaking the surface while the rest of the craft remained beneath the waves.

The article said: “A submarine with a megawatt-class, solid-state, laser weapon installed in its midsection could stay submerged while it raised a retractable mast to fire at satellites.

“When the satellite enters the attackable range, the laser weapon is raised. After the attack is completed, the submarine can submerge and wait for the next mission.”

Satellite internet swarms — similar to SpaceX’s Starlink — are becoming a crucial part of warfare.

They enabled Ukraine to keep troops connected when existing internet and satellite communications were destroyed.

It explains why China is looking at ways of taking them out.

But some experts say laser subs will take years to develop.

Chris Carlson, a former US Defense Intelligence Agency naval analyst, said: “A submarine at periscope depth is anything but a stable firing platform. Just a little wiggle in will yank the beam off target.”