China’s New Anti-Drone Combat Vehicle Adapts to Ukraine War Lessons

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has begun fielding a new air defence combat vehicle designed to provide short range defence against drone attacks, the FK-3000, which was seen during rehearsals for the country’s upcoming military parade scheduled for September 3.

The procurement of the system appears to reflect one of the multiple ways in which China’s armed forces have responded to lessons from the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War, during which the use of drones for both attacks and for reconnaissance have played very central roles in both sides’ war efforts. The air defence combat vehicle has some similarities to the Russian Pantsir system, which has been used extensively for anti-drone duties in Syria, Libya and in the Ukrainain theatre, and proven highly effective. The Chinese system appears to be more heavily specialised to wards defending targets against drones, and as a much newer design developed by a defence sector that is considerably more advanced it is expected to have a superior performance. 

The FK-3000 uses a three-axle all-wheel-drive vehicle with an armoured cab, and two launch pods each carrying 12 short-range missiles, as well as a 30mm automatic cannon. Its fire controls allow of the engagement of multiple targets simultaneously. The use of a cannon allows the vehicle to provide a defence against lower value drones such as quadcopter without expending costly missiles, providing a two layered defence. The system has an engagement range of up to 1200 meters, and can integrate a number of different missile types. It is expected to be deployed both to defend ground units on or near the frontlines, and to protect key military facilities and critical infrastructure. China has complemented the development of the FK-3000 with the operationalisation of a number of laser weapons systems, such as the new OW5-A50 system unveiled in mid-July. As laser weapons technologies improve, it is expected. That the utility of cannon and missiles for anti-drone duties will diminish.

The utility of drones in the Ukrainian theatre is expected to fuel considerable international interest in the FK-3000 and in similar systems. The Ukrainian Armed Forces on June 1 achieved an unprecedented success in using unmanned aircraft to destroy very high value targets with the launch of a large scale drone attack to destroy multiple Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers at airbases across the country. The Russian strategic aviation fleet is expected to take years to recover from the losses. More minor successes targeting airbases hosting tactical combat aircraft such as Su-34 strike fighters and MiG-31 interceptors on the ground have been repeatedly achieved, as have strikes on radar systems, air defence systems, and key infrastructure. China has bolstered Russia’s defence against drone attacks with the export of the Silent Hunter 3000 laser system.