Chinese HQ-8 air defense system shown at AirshowChina 2018 with its large scale WS-600L missile interceptor designed to engage large aerial targets (such as an AEW aircraft) from a range of 400 km. Photo: Huanqui.
A8-TG680 transportable air defense radar system associated. Photo: HuanquiA truck-mounted launcher container that carries two CM-401 ballistic anti-ship missiles on display at Airshow China 2018.
The land-based launch vehicle for the CM-401 hypersonic anti-ship missile system. The CM-401 is thought to be a modified anti-ship version based on the BP-12A tactical ballistic missile. The missile achieves high supersonic speed and its ship killing accuracy is derived by the integral active radar used in the terminal phase of the flight. This missile is used mainly to attack medium-to-large-sized ships, including aircraft carriers.
the Fire Dragon family of guided rockets from Norinco includes different rocket sizes, from 220 mm to 750mmThe HD-1 anti-ship missile is also an airborne ship killer, capable of flight at a high supersonic speed, developed by the powerfull booster and rocket motor and sustained by the ramjet fed by a separate liquid fuel supply.
Eight Red Arrow 10B EO guided non-line of sight anti-tank missiles are carried on this ZBL-09 8×8 vehicle, designed as a tank destroyer and precision weapon carrier.The Red Arrow 10B missile weighs 43kg. Its maximum effective range is 10 kilometers.QN-202 missiles weigh only 1.2 kg and are operated by a single soldier. They can engage light armor or soft targets at ranges up to 2,000 meters. The missile can be employed from a battery of six missiles, or hand launcher, both are operated by a single soldier. Four missiles were also shown mounted on a UGV.The QN-202 missile can be launched from a reusable hand launcher, equipped with a simple sight and controller used to designate the target as it is seen by the missile’s seeker.QN-201 miniature guided missile is employed on Type 59 based fire support vehicle. Up to 20 of those ‘fire and forget’ missiles are carried, capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 2,000 meters.QN-506 Multi-purpose support tank
QN-506 is based on a turretless Type 59 tank (Chinese version of the obsolete T-54). In the QN-506 the manned turret was replaced with an unmanned rotating structure that mounts a 30mm cannon, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, launchers carrying 20 lightweight QN-201 multi-role missiles and four launchers for QN502 EO guided missiles or loitering weapons. The vehicle can also exchange some of the loitering weapons for drones, to extend the observation range to 10 km.
As traditional defense primes face mounting competition from agile “neoprimes” such as Anduril, Palantir and Helsing, the balance of innovation is shifting toward software-defined warfare and scalable, dual-use technologies, while global industry consolidation—marked by Boeing’s integration of Spirit AeroSystems and other strategic mergers—signals an intensified race to secure control over the defense technology value chain. Our Defense-Tech weekly report highlights these trends.
At the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force and Space Force leaders unveiled major updates on next-generation fighters, bombers, unmanned systems, and space initiatives, highlighting both rapid innovation and critical readiness challenges as the services race to outpace global competitors. A short version is available here, with a more detailed version for subscribers.
The Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2025 crystallized around four dominant strategic themes that collectively illustrate Taiwan's comprehensive approach to defense modernization amid escalating regional tensions. Based on a detailed report by Pleronix (available upon request). Includes a Podcast discussion on TADTE 2025's highlighting Taiwan's four strategic themes beyond the post's coverage.
Israel’s Iron Beam 450 high-power laser system has completed final testing, marking a major leap in air defense. Developed by Rafael, it offers precise, cost-effective interception of rockets, UAVs, and mortars, and is set for IDF deployment by 2025.
President Trump’s June 6, 2025 executive order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” sets an aggressive timeline for FAA BVLOS rulemaking, launches an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, and prioritizes domestic manufacturing and export of U.S. drone technologies—aiming to modernize logistics, public safety, and defense while securing global leadership in advanced air mobility.
