How China’s New EMP Weapon Redefines War

How China’s New EMP Weapon Redefines War

Chinese researchers claim to have developed a new high-power microwave (HPM) weapon, capable of producing electromagnetic pulses (EMP) with the intensity of a nuclear explosion. Compact yet powerful, this technology is still undergoing laboratory testing but already promises to rewrite the rules of modern warfare. Using advanced phased-array transmission technology, the system can precisely focus energy, extending its range and allowing it to target multiple threats simultaneously, from drones to satellites. What makes this weapon so alarming is its ability to generate electromagnetic waves exceeding one gigawatt of power—enough to disable electronics within enemy systems. With electric field strengths rivaling nuclear EMPs, the weapon required engineering to prevent self-destruction. Chinese scientists achieved this through a power divider capable of withstanding over 5,000 full-power emissions, maintaining stability and efficiency at an impressive 96.6%. The result is a system that meets military demands for reliability and high-power capacity. China’s advancements in HPM technology also set their sights on space. Vulnerabilities in satellite networks like Starlink, which rely on commercial-grade components, make them potential targets for these high-energy strikes. Chinese simulations have shown how their systems could disrupt thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit, challenging the dominance of global communication and surveillance networks. As the U.S. and China both advance their HPM and laser weapon programs, the race for electromagnetic dominance is intensifying. With the U.S. already deploying laser-equipped warships and China accelerating its anti-satellite efforts, the implications of this technology are far-reaching. HPM weapons are no longer just theoretical—they’re shaping the future of warfare, where energy replaces ammunition, and entire networks hang in the balance.

Nuclear Aggression from China

I recently came across a troubling article in the Taiwan News. It refers to a video reposted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that threatens to use nuclear bombs against Japan if they interfere with an invasion of Taiwan.

Recorded in Chinese, the video vows that China will abandon its “no first use” nuclear policy to destroy Japan. It goes on to boast about China’s military might and threaten that Okinawa will be broken off from Japan and taken by either China or another country.

While it would be easy for Americans to give a collective shrug, that’s probably not a good idea. The US is obligated by the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan to defend Japan if it is attacked. Given the treaty along with the Taiwan Relations Act, not to mention our strong interests in both countries, it is almost a certainty that a war with either Taiwan or Japan would lead to a war with the United States.

I personally think that a war with China, even if only a limited proxy war, is coming soon. I base this opinion on China’s growing aggressiveness. I also think that China might see a military conflict as a way to take the world’s attention off the Covid-19 pandemic, a virus that some believe may have originated from a bioweapon lab in Wuhan.

I found a current, and very detailed, comparison of our respective militaries on Globalfirepower. Upon review, it becomes clear that a true all-out war between China and the US would be a prolonged and difficult endeavor for either side. This doesn’t even consider the implications of nuclear weapons being used, which could change the entire war in minutes.

My takeaway on this is that we’re living in dangerous times. The US faces many potential enemies, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran to name but a few. Worse yet, if a war were to break out, it is possible that our enemies will unite, just as our allies will hopefully move to stand beside us. With modern military powers, the next world war will be unlike anything ever seen. Fortunately, for now, our enemies seem content to engage in small proxy wars. But a miscalculated overly bold endeavor could well lead to all-out global war.

The world has always been a dangerous place, so I don’t want to leave you with the message that we should be afraid. On the contrary, my advice is to simply stay alert, watching for signs of things to come. Also, keep in place solid preparations that would allow your family to survive should our infrastructures collapse due to war or other challenging events. No one knows what tomorrow will bring, but one thing we know for sure is that challenges await. Be prepared.

Stay safe,

Arthur Bradley, Ph.D.