China’s Secret Weapon “TPG1000Cs” Exposed: A New Microwave System That Could Threaten Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellites

Beijing: China has reportedly achieved a major breakthrough in High-Power Microwave (HPM) weapon technology, unveiling crucial details about a secret system known as TPG1000Cs. Defence analysts and Chinese media claim this advanced weapon could pose a serious threat to Western satellite networks, including Elon Musk’s Starlink low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.

The weapon is being described as a non-kinetic directed-energy system, capable of disabling satellites and military electronics without using missiles or explosives.

SCMP Report Reveals Major Breakthrough

According to a report published by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Chinese scientists have developed what is being called the world’s first compact driver for an HPM weapon. The system is reportedly capable of producing an astonishing 20 gigawatts of energy continuously for 60 seconds.

Researchers claim this technology could allow China to target large satellite groups like Starlink during a conflict scenario, potentially damaging satellite communication networks and disrupting command-and-control systems.

The research findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal “Chinese High Power Laser and Particle Beams.”

What is China’s TPG1000Cs Weapon?

The secret weapon system, named TPG1000Cs, has been developed at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xi’an. Reports suggest that:

• It weighs nearly 5 tons
• It is around 4 meters long
• It is designed for deployment on trucks, ships, aircraft, and potentially even in space
• It can deliver up to 3,000 high-energy pulses in a single session
• Scientists have reportedly already conducted more than 200,000 test pulses, indicating strong endurance and operational stability

The system is being led by researcher Wang Gang, according to reports.

Why Starlink Satellites Are at Risk

Chinese scientists estimate that an output of over 1 gigawatt is enough to damage or disrupt low-orbit satellites. Since Starlink satellites operate at relatively low altitudes, they are more vulnerable to ground-based directed-energy attacks compared to satellites in higher orbits.

China has long described the presence of US and allied satellites hovering above its territory as a major national security threat. The rise of private satellite networks like Starlink has further increased Beijing’s concerns, especially because such networks can provide communication support during wartime.

How High-Power Microwave (HPM) Weapons Work

Unlike conventional weapons, HPM systems attack the enemy through intense bursts of radio-frequency (RF) energy. These weapons release electromagnetic pulses through antennas, cables, and openings, creating powerful electrical disturbances inside electronic systems.

This results in:

• High-voltage surges
• Current overloads
• System failures and permanent component damage

Rather than simply heating electronics, these microwaves can burn circuits, destroy processors, and disable entire communication networks, making them extremely effective against modern digital warfare infrastructure.

More Powerful Than Previous Chinese Microwave Weapons

Reports suggest the TPG1000Cs is significantly more advanced than China’s earlier Hurricane-series HPM weapons, which had a range of only about 3 kilometers. The new system is believed to have a much greater range and higher effectiveness, though exact operational range details have not been publicly confirmed.

Potential Role in a Taiwan Conflict

Defence experts believe the TPG1000Cs could play a crucial role in any future Taiwan-related military conflict. A May 2025 report by analysts Tin Pak and Yu-Cheng Chen suggested that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) may use HPM weapons as a “first-wave strike tool,” targeting high-value electronic assets rather than causing widespread disruption.

These targets could include:

• Military command centers
• Radar installations
• Missile defence systems
• Power grids
• Communication networks
• Satellite control stations

Such a capability could weaken enemy response systems before conventional military operations even begin.

Growing Concern for the US and Western Powers

The development of a weapon like TPG1000Cs signals a new stage in China’s military modernization. If proven operational, it could create serious challenges for the US and its allies, especially in the era of satellite-dependent warfare.

Military experts believe that directed-energy weapons like this could become a key tool in future conflicts, where disabling communication and surveillance systems may be as decisive as destroying physical targets.

With the rise of satellite networks like Starlink, China’s microwave weapon advancement is now being seen as a major strategic warning for the West.