China equips light brigades with SWS3 air defense systems to counter drones during reconnaissance missions.

As reported by the X account sugar_wsnbn on May 25, 2025, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has officially inducted the new SWS3 air defense system, also designated as LD35L, into its light combined arms brigades. This system combines a 35mm autocannon and FB-10A short-range surface-to-air missiles mounted on a Dongfeng Mengshi 6×6 wheeled chassis. By equipping these brigades with such mobile air defense systems, the PLA ensures that even its most agile units possess the capabilities for independent detection, tracking, and engagement of low-altitude threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles or cruise missiles.
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The deployment of the SWS3 into light combined arms brigades increases the capacity of these units to operate in airspace contested by low-flying threats like drones and cruise missiles. (Picture source: X/sugar_wsnbn)

Light combined arms brigades of the PLA are modular formations designed for rapid deployment and high mobility in varied operational environments. These brigades are tasked with advancing ahead of heavier forces and are structured to operate with autonomy in reconnaissance, flanking, or area denial missions. These units comprise at least one air defense battalion equipped with short-range systems, often relying on smaller man-portable systems or support from larger formations. The SWS3 provides these brigades with a dedicated SHORAD capability, integrated directly into their force structure. This development corresponds with the PLA’s broader emphasis on operational independence for mobile units and the capacity to operate effectively under electronic warfare conditions or in areas where centralized support may not be available.

The SWS3 system is built around an unmanned turret equipped with a single-barrel 35mm revolver autocannon. This weapon system is capable of firing AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction) programmable airburst ammunition, which disperses a controlled number of sub-projectiles at a calculated point near the target. This function is designed to increase the probability of intercepting aerial targets such as drones or cruise missiles. The turret also includes two launch tubes for the FB-10A missile system. The FB-10A is a short-range missile with dual-mode guidance using both infrared imaging and radio command link, enabling it to engage targets under conditions involving GPS denial or electronic countermeasures. The missile has a maximum range of 18 kilometers and can intercept aerial targets flying at altitudes up to 7,500 meters. The integration of both the cannon and missile in one system allows for the application of a dual-interception model, where two different types of threats or layers of a single threat can be addressed in parallel.

The SWS3 also includes a sensor suite composed of a phased-array radar and electro-optical tracking systems. The radar is capable of multi-target tracking and is likely derived from sensors used on other Chinese SHORAD platforms. It supports autonomous operation by enabling target detection and engagement without external data input. The electro-optical component includes infrared and optical sensors that allow for passive target acquisition and tracking, improving survivability in contested electromagnetic environments. The 35mm cannon is supplied through a modular ammunition container system that allows for faster reloading and improved rate of fire sustainability during extended engagements. The whole air defense system is installed on the third-generation Dongfeng Mengshi 6×6 chassis, which provides a unified platform suitable for various roles and missions, including off-road operations. Standardizing the chassis also streamlines logistics and maintenance processes, allowing for standardized spare parts, training, and support equipment, contributing to cost-effective fleet maintenance.

The deployment of the SWS3 into light combined arms brigades increases the capacity of these units to operate in airspace contested by low-flying threats like drones and cruise missiles. By placing SHORAD capabilities directly within the brigade, response time to airborne threats is reduced, and units can sustain operations in conditions where air defense support from higher echelons is delayed or unavailable. This configuration supports dispersed operations where formations are required to act independently across a wide area. The dual-layered engagement capability offered by the combination of missile and gun systems also allows for increased flexibility in threat engagement strategies, depending on the nature and range of the target.

The integration of the SWS3 system is consistent with the PLA’s response to the widespread adoption of UAVs and loitering munitions in modern armed conflict, and it addresses the requirement for tactical units to carry out operations without continuous support from centralized air defense assets. By deploying a mobile, radar-equipped, multi-layered SHORAD system at the brigade level, the PLA aligns its light force structure with current requirements for survivability and operational continuity in complex threat environments. The SWS3’s inclusion of programmable munitions, like the German Skyranger 35, offers a cost-effective solution for engaging multiple inexpensive threats without relying solely on missile-based interceptors to counter low-observable, low-altitude threats.