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China’s military
ChinaMilitary

China has unveiled new short-range air defence systems that target drones

  • Arms makers showed several systems at this month’s Zhuhai air show
  • Type 625E combines a Gatling-style gun and missiles on a tactical truck

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The Type 625E AA Gun Missile Integrated Weapon System was unveiled at the Zhuhai air show earlier this month. Photo: Weibo
Liu Zhenin Beijing
Developing short-range air-defence systems to detect low-flying aircraft such as drones has become a key focus for China’s rapidly advancing military.
Known as SHORAD systems, they are seen as important for defending against unmanned technology in future warfare – an area President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said should be a priority.
Chinese arms makers unveiled several new short-range defence systems earlier this month at the Zhuhai air show in southern Guangdong – the country’s biggest aviation trade expo.

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China unveils new combat drone described as a rival to US Army Grey Eagle

China unveils new combat drone described as a rival to US Army Grey Eagle

One of the most eye-catching was the Type 625E AA Gun Missile Integrated Weapon System, jointly developed by two state-owned arms suppliers: China South Industries Group Corporation and China North Industries Group Corporation.

It combines an anti-air gun and missiles on an 8x8 tactical truck – a concept similar to Russia’s Pantsir system and the United States’ Manoeuvre Short-Range Air Defence system.

The 625 refers to its six-barrel 25mm Gatling-style anti-air gun that is fixed in the middle of the vehicle. It fires lightweight shells whose fragments have a “killing radius” of 5 to 6 metres (16 to 19 feet) after they explode, and the barrage could cover up to 2.5km (1.5 miles).

There are also missile launchers on either side of the gun. They can accommodate various Chinese-made light air-defence missiles that are expected to be able to cover a range from 15 metres up to 6km.

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