Witness The Futuristic System Transforming China’s Air Defense Tactics

China’s latest defense maneuver showcases a groundbreaking 16-barrel anti-drone system designed to tackle modern aerial threats with remarkable precision and efficiency.

Quick Takes

China introduces a 16-barrel anti-drone, anti-missile system.
System uses a “barrage” to intercept aerial threats.
Offers tactical flexibility and broad deployment capability.
Aimed at countering drone swarms and saturation attacks cost-effectively.

Revolutionizing Air Defense

China has fashioned a land-adapted version of a Naval Close-in-Weapon-System (CIWS), enhancing its air defense against drones. This system, mounted on trucks, includes a rotary cannon, missile launchers, and radars. Such an approach extends the air defense radius to 3-4 kilometers, significantly improving responses to drones and low-flying aircraft that traditional systems often overlook. This system’s six-barrel 25mm gun, coupled with FN-16/HY-6B air defense missiles, targets low and slow aerial threats, which are increasingly common in modern warfare.

This unprecedented weapon system, recently showcased by China, shifts from a “point-to-point” interception technique to a “plane-to-point” approach. This creates a solid wall of fire capable of neutralizing numerous airborne threats with increased precision and effectiveness.

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

Flexibility and Efficiency

The defensive system isn’t just restricted to conventional applications; its modular design facilitates deployment across diverse platforms, including trucks, armored vehicles, and potentially naval vessels. This flexibility ensures that troops can consistently safeguard against unexpected attacks even while on the move. High-velocity interception technology strengthens its capability, proving effective against various aerial targets, including rockets and hypersonic missiles.

The combination of rapid reload capability and dense fire control optimizes the system’s ability to counter swarming drones and large-scale strikes. Additionally, the tactical cost-effectiveness allows for significant savings compared to older models, widening its appeal for both domestic and international markets.

Chinese Type 625 Anti-Aircraft system intercepting a drone in a test.

The system combines a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) with four missile launchers mounted on an eight-wheel tactical chassis.

It features a unique 6-barrel 25mm Gatling gun & FN-16 short-range… pic.twitter.com/GKtAaZsucG

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 16, 2024

Continuing Evolution in Defense

The ongoing testing of China’s GL-6 active protection system (APS) continues expanding China’s defensive capabilities. This hard-kill APS, demonstrated against drone-launched rocket-propelled grenades, is an additional layer of defense promising enhanced protection of China’s armored vehicles.

This cutting-edge technology underscores China’s commitment to advancing military modernization, epitomizing a potential strategic shift in air defense procurement and tactics globally.