China Tests New 8x8 Mobile Air Defense System Against Drone Swarms

China has showcased its advanced Type 625 and Type 625E mobile air defense systems in large-scale live-fire exercises, demonstrating capabilities to counter swarms of drones with integrated radar-guided autocannons and short-range missiles. These systems, mounted on 8×8 wheeled chassis, represent China’s strategic enhancement of low-altitude air defenses in response to the rising threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (Articles 1, 5). Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to develop innovative counter-drone tactics, including civilian volunteers using machine guns to shoot down Russian drones and the deployment of air-launched FPV interceptor drones carried by larger drones, which increase interception range and speed (Articles 2, 4). The rising drone threat is also a concern for the U.S., with military officials warning that swarms of weaponized drones could soon cause mass-casualty events on domestic soil, highlighting vulnerabilities in current defense systems and the urgent need for improved countermeasures (Article 3). These developments reflect a global recognition of drones as a transformative and escalating threat on modern battlefields, prompting rapid adaptation in defense technologies and tactics across multiple nations.