China recently revealed a new type of self-propelled, eight-wheeled 35 millimeter anti-aircraft gun equipped with two surface-to-air missiles. Independently developed by China’s arms industry, the gun is equipped with advanced radar and fire control systems, and can act as a stand-alone combat unit, making it a high-end product among other anti-aircraft guns. The rotary autoloader that can also boost the weapon’s accuracy and reliability was challenging to develop because of high requirements in designing and material, China Central Television (CCTV) reported last week.
Without introducing the weapon’s designation, the CCTV report said that the eight-wheeled gun system is highly mobile and can accompany mechanized troops to provide air defense cover, making it a great choice for a mid-size combined arms brigade in field air defense tasks as well as countering drones. The weapon uses a 35 millimeter caliber single-barrel gun with the same combat capability as its two-barreled predecessors because it uses a completely new rotary autoloader that significantly increases its fire rate, Liu Xuanzun reports in Global Times.
A set of two air defense missiles is mounted on the right side of the turret next to the gun. Compared to self-propelled anti-aircraft guns that use tracks, wheeled vehicles have higher mobility and range, are more difficult to detect and have better chances of survival. A set of two air defense missiles is mounted on the right side of the turret, next to the gun. The type has not been mentioned in CCTV’s report. In addition to air targets, the gun can also be used against ground target.
