China Unveils Skynex-Inspired Counter-Drone Weapon Drawing Comparisons to Germany's Rheinmetall System.

During AirShow China 2024, the Chinese defense company NORINCO (China North Industries Group Corporation Limited) unveiled its latest innovation in mobile air defense technology. This system appears inspired by the German-made Rheinmetall Skynex. Designed as a counter-drone weapon, the new Chinese system integrates advanced detection, targeting, and firepower capabilities on a highly mobile tactical platform.
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The new Chinese counter-drone vehicle was unveiled at AirShow China 2024, featuring a 30mm automatic cannon and missile launcher mounted on a 6x6 Mengshi tactical vehicle. (Picture source: Weibo Social Network)

The new Chinese counter drone air defense vehicle is mounted on the 6x6 wheeled chassis of the Mengshi light tactical vehicle, a platform recognized for its adaptability and off-road performance. The vehicle features a compact two-door crew cab at the front, offering space for operators, while the rear is equipped with a weapon station. This station houses a 30mm automatic cannon and a missile launcher capable of firing air defense missiles, providing a versatile response to aerial threats.

A key feature of the system is its advanced detection and targeting suite. The weapon station incorporates an integrated turret equipped with optical systems and radar technology, enabling precise real-time detection, tracking, and engagement of aerial targets. This design focuses on countering a wide range of airborne threats, from drones to low-flying aircraft, emphasizing its role as a counter-drone solution.

The Chinese air defense system's design and capabilities are similar to those of the Rheinmetall Skynex, a highly regarded air defense system developed by the German defense company. Like its German counterpart, NORINCO’s system prioritizes mobility and rapid response, making it particularly effective in high-intensity or urban combat scenarios. By utilizing the lightweight and agile Mengshi chassis, the Chinese variant emphasizes operational flexibility over heavier protection, aligning with modern battlefield requirements.

This development underscores China’s strategic focus on counter-drone technologies, an area of increasing importance as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) continue to play a prominent role in contemporary warfare. The unveiling of this system at AirShow China 2024 highlights NORINCO’s commitment to presenting indigenous solutions that compete with Western defense technologies while addressing the need for cost-effective and mobile air defense options.

The system’s modular design, coupled with its advanced capabilities, positions it as a potential contender in the international defense market. It is likely to attract interest from nations seeking affordable yet capable counter-drone platforms, particularly those operating in terrains or conditions that demand mobility and flexibility.

NORINCO’s latest offering reflects the global arms race in drone and counter-drone technologies, reinforcing China’s growing influence in this critical sector of modern defense. This system not only enhances the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) but also serves as a testament to China’s ambitions to expand its footprint in the global defense industry.