In a move underscoring its advancing military capabilities, China has unveiled a new graphite bomb in a promotional animated video aired by state broadcaster CCTV. The weapon, developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is specifically designed to disable enemy power grids without causing physical destruction.
Graphite bombs, also known as “soft bombs,” function by dispersing ultra-fine carbon filaments into the air above electrical facilities. These filaments then settle onto electrical infrastructure—such as transformers and substations—causing massive short circuits by conducting electricity across components that are not meant to be connected. The result is a near-instantaneous blackout across the affected zone.
According to the CCTV video, China’s graphite bomb boasts a range of 290 kilometers and carries a 490-kilogram warhead. The video portrays the bomb being dropped from a missile and releasing thousands of conductive fibers over an area of approximately 2.5 acres, effectively disabling the targeted electrical grid without any visible explosion or damage to buildings.
Although Beijing has not officially confirmed the operational status of the bomb, defense analysts have pointed out its similarity to the graphite-based weapons previously used by the United States in Iraq in 1991 and Serbia in 1999 during NATO operations. In both instances, the U.S. deployed graphite bombs to disrupt enemy power supplies with minimal collateral damage.
Experts interpret China’s development of such technology as a sign of its strategic pivot toward non-kinetic warfare—military tactics that incapacitate enemy capabilities without direct confrontation. Unlike traditional weapons, graphite bombs are designed not to kill or destroy physical assets, but to paralyze essential infrastructure such as electricity and communication systems.
Speaking to the South China Morning Post, military analyst Song Zhongping noted, “This demonstrates China’s growing emphasis on paralyzing enemy systems through technological means. Disabling electricity supply means crippling command, control, and communication.”
The showcase comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and Taiwan. Taiwan’s power grid has frequently been identified as a strategic vulnerability, with reports indicating that it is heavily centralized and susceptible to electromagnetic and cyber attacks. The use of graphite bombs in such a context could temporarily shut down the island’s economy, defense operations, and public services—all without a single missile strike.
The animated video aired by CCTV includes references to potential scenarios in which the graphite bomb could be deployed, further fueling speculation that Taiwan might be a target in a future conflict. Although the video stops short of naming Taiwan directly, its inclusion in state media highlights the weapon’s relevance to China’s military posture in the region.
While international reactions are still emerging, defense analysts around the globe have expressed concern. “This is a wake-up call,” said Dr. Marcus Snyder, an expert in electromagnetic weapons at the Global Defense Research Institute. “If deployed successfully, such weapons could render entire cities powerless and disrupt both civilian life and military operations.”
The introduction of this weapon adds to a growing list of asymmetric and high-tech tools being developed by global powers to wage war beyond the battlefield. As nations rethink defense in an era of drones, cyber warfare, and now graphite bombs, the nature of conflict is evolving—and the potential targets are increasingly the systems that modern life depends on.
Sources:
- CCTV (China Central Television) Animated Video Report
- South China Morning Post
- Global Defense Research Institute
- The Drive – The War Zone
- U.S. Air Force Historical Research on Graphite Bomb Use in Iraq and Serbia
