China Unveils World's First Anti-Drone Barrage Weapon to Defend Against Swarms and Missile Strikes

In a bold move that could reshape future warfare, China has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first anti-drone barrage weapon system—an advanced air defence platform specifically engineered to counter drone swarms, low-flying missiles, rockets, helicopters, and other fast-moving aerial threats.

This new weapon, introduced by China’s defense industry in April 2025, doesn't just rely on conventional targeting. Instead, it utilizes a revolutionary "barrage" approach to blanket the skies with intense firepower.

A New Era in Air Defense

Unlike traditional anti-aircraft systems that aim to hit targets with precise point-to-point interception, China’s new system embraces a radical change: "plane-to-point" interception.

At the heart of this innovation lies a 16-barrel gun, capable of unleashing a wall of firepower rather than a single focused shot. This creates a wide net of destruction, dramatically increasing the chances of intercepting agile, unpredictable threats like drone swarms or incoming missiles.

As Yu Bin, the system's chief designer, explains: “This barrage can cover incoming positions of all targets, achieving effective interception with the concept of ‘plane to point’.”

Key Specifications and Features

• Barrel Configuration: 16 closely aligned barrels

• Fire Mode: Barrage firing (high-density projectile curtain)

• Reload Capability: Fast reloading for sustained defense

• Coverage: Wide-area suppression, suitable for multiple aerial targets simultaneously

• Platform Compatibility: Modular—can be mounted on trucks, armored vehicles, ships

• Ammunition: Uses specially developed munitions for broad aerial saturation

• Operational Use: Capable of neutralizing drone swarms, missiles, mortars, and even artillery shells in field trials

This system’s adaptability is particularly important. Its modular design allows it to be deployed across multiple environments—from land-based operations to naval defense—making it a versatile tool for the modern battlefield.

Designed for Real-World Combat Conditions

In live trials, the barrage system demonstrated its potency. One single volley was enough to eliminate entire formations of small drones, while also effectively intercepting high-speed rockets and mortar shells.

Such performance makes it particularly relevant in the face of modern saturation attacks, where dozens or even hundreds of drones can be launched simultaneously to overwhelm traditional defenses.

Current air defense systems struggle to deal with such threats due to their reliance on costly interceptors and slower response times. China’s new barrage weapon offers a cost-effective, high-efficiency solution to this pressing problem.

Responding to Strategic Challenges

The system’s unveiling comes amid rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, especially around Taiwan.

Taiwan, backed by the United States, has been actively expanding its drone capabilities, including long-range surveillance drones like the MQ-4C Triton and MQ-9B Reaper, as well as thousands of domestically produced UAVs for tactical use.

These drones are central to Taiwan’s asymmetric warfare strategy—meant to slow or deter a larger invading force by using advanced technology and hit-and-run tactics.

China’s new anti-drone barrage system seems to be a direct answer to this evolving strategy, designed to destroy such drones before they can gather intelligence or strike.

Eye on Global Demand

Chinese defense experts believe the system also has strong potential for international exports. As drone warfare becomes a global concern, especially in low-cost, high-threat battle scenarios like in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, countries are seeking affordable yet powerful air defense alternatives.

This new barrage weapon may well find interest among countries facing frequent drone incursions or attacks from small aerial platforms.

The Future of Drone Warfare

The unveiling of this weapon underscores a broader shift in modern combat thinking: it’s no longer just about precision strikes and stealth fighters. The real challenge now lies in countering low-cost, mass-produced drones that can overwhelm defenses by sheer numbers.

China’s new system reflects this transformation—introducing a brute-force but highly sophisticated approach that floods the air with projectiles instead of relying on expensive missile interceptors.

As nations around the world continue to invest in drone technology, the race to build effective countermeasures is heating up. With its latest innovation, China appears to be setting the pace—proving that in tomorrow’s wars, it might take a storm of firepower to stop a swarm of machines.