China Latest Weapon Redefining Air Defense Tactics

Missiles arranged in height order from left to right in front of Chinese flag

China’s military unveils a groundbreaking 16-barrel anti-drone and anti-missile weapon system, potentially shifting the balance of air defense capabilities as drone warfare becomes increasingly prominent in global conflicts.

Key Takeaways

China has developed the world’s first 16-barrel anti-drone swarm and anti-missile barrage weapon system, creating a dense “wall” of projectiles rather than relying on point-to-point interception.
The modular system can be mounted on trucks, armored vehicles, or naval vessels, providing unprecedented flexibility in various combat scenarios.
With an air defense radius of 3-4 kilometers, the system effectively counters multiple aerial threats including drone swarms, missiles, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft.
This development comes as both the US and Taiwan increase their drone capabilities in the Taiwan Strait region, highlighting China’s commitment to counter emerging unmanned threats.
The cost-effective system represents a significant advancement in both Chinese military technology and a strategic shift in global air defense tactics.

Revolutionary “Plane-to-Point” Defense Strategy

China’s new anti-drone and anti-missile system represents a fundamental departure from traditional air defense methods. Rather than relying on conventional “point-to-point” interception techniques, the system employs a revolutionary “plane-to-point” approach, creating a concentrated barrage of projectiles that significantly increases the probability of neutralizing incoming threats. The 16-barrel configuration enables unprecedented fire density, effectively creating a defensive wall against multiple targets simultaneously.

According to chief designer Yu Bin, “The system abandons traditional ‘point-to-point’ interception methods in favor of a ‘plane-to-point’ concept.” This strategic shift enhances the weapon’s effectiveness against the increasingly common threat of drone swarms, which overwhelm conventional defense systems through sheer numbers rather than individual sophistication. The barrage concept allows the system to defend against multiple incoming threats without requiring precise targeting for each object.

China's 16 barrel metal storm point defense system, used for anti-drone swarms and anti-missile.

We need to mount these onto ships, creating a point defense gunboat. Then anchor them near our moveable port barges on Taiwan's coastline.

They will protect the offloading point… pic.twitter.com/Dm6s88kEai

— Zhao DaShuai 东北进修🇨🇳 (@zhao_dashuai) March 31, 2025

Versatile Platform Integration and Target Engagement

A key feature of China’s new anti-drone and anti-missile system is its modular design, allowing for installation across various combat platforms. The system can be mounted on trucks for rapid deployment and mobility, integrated into armored vehicles for front-line protection, or installed on naval vessels to enhance maritime defense capabilities. This flexibility ensures that the technology can be adapted to diverse operational environments and mission requirements.

“The new self-propelled anti-aircraft system can be used in mobile air defense, meaning that it can provide air defense to troops on the move rather than staying in a fixed position,” explains military expert Fu Qianshao.

The system demonstrates remarkable versatility in target engagement, capable of neutralizing a wide range of aerial threats. Beyond its primary function against drone swarms, the weapon effectively counters low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and even ground-launched rockets and mortars. With an operational radius of 3-4 kilometers, it fills a critical gap in existing air defense networks that often struggle with low-altitude, slow-moving targets. Some versions combine a six-barrel 25mm rotary gun with four FN-16/HY-6B air defense missiles for layered protection.

Cost-Effective Solution for Modern Battlefield Challenges

As drone technology becomes increasingly accessible and widespread in modern conflicts, China’s anti-drone barrage system offers a cost-effective countermeasure. The system addresses the economic imbalance often seen in drone warfare, where inexpensive unmanned vehicles can deliver disproportionate damage to valuable military assets. By employing specialized munitions with rapid reload capabilities, the 16-barrel configuration provides an economically viable solution to counter mass drone attacks.

“Since such drones are inexpensive, using the less expensive gun is more reasonable than using the missiles, but the missiles provide versatility and cover more situations,” notes Fu Qianshao.

Field demonstrations have reportedly validated the system’s effectiveness against drone swarms and high-speed munitions like missiles and rockets. The Chinese weapon has garnered significant attention from international defense analysts, who view it as both a market opportunity and a strategic advancement in aerial defense technology. Military experts suggest the system could find substantial demand in both domestic and export markets, particularly among nations facing asymmetric drone threats but lacking extensive air defense infrastructure.

China’s Broader Counter-Drone Strategy

The 16-barrel system represents just one component of China’s comprehensive approach to counter-drone defense. The Chinese military has also developed the GL-6 active protection system, designed to intercept drone-launched projectiles like rocket-propelled grenades before they strike armored vehicles. This multi-layered defense strategy reflects China’s recognition of drones as a transformative battlefield technology requiring specialized countermeasures at various engagement ranges.

“With special radar and sensors, it can target drones that are difficult to spot and come in large numbers or in a swarm, and choose to use a gun or missile based on the situation,” said Fu Qianshao.

China’s development of advanced anti-drone technology occurs against the backdrop of increasing drone capabilities in the Taiwan Strait region. Reports indicate that both the United States and Taiwan are enhancing their unmanned aerial systems for surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision strike capabilities. China’s investment in counter-drone systems signals its determination to neutralize these potential threats while advancing its broader military modernization agenda.