According to armyrecognition, the PLA’s new combat vehicles are designated CS/SA5, a Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) based on new 8×8 armored vehicle.
According to globaltimes, the PLA Army has commissioned new self-propelled air defense systems, specifically designed for threats from unmanned aerial vehicles. Accordingly, dozens of new combat vehicles have been assigned to an air defense brigade under the PLA’s 71st Army Group. The images show that the newly delivered vehicles are a type of truck-mounted air defense system integrated with a rotary cannon, a set of missile launchers, a radar system and a set of smoke dischargers, all on a wheeled vehicle.
According to armyrecognition, the PLA’s new combat vehicles are designated CS/SA5, a Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) based on new 8×8 armored vehicle. The vehicle is manufactured by Chinese company NORINCO. The system is designed to provide close-range air defense for ground forces against various aerial threats such as low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The rotary gun has six 30-milimeter-caliber barrels. Combined with the four FN-16/HY-6B air defense missiles on the turret, the system can cover an air defense radius of three to four kilometers against aerial threats. The 30mm six-barrel gun features a high rate of fire, ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 rounds per minute. The gun can engage low-altitude targets effectively, especially with drones. The effective range against aerial targets typically around 1,000 to 2,500 meters.
The FN-16 is a new addition to the FN MANPAD series. Specially designed to engage low-flying targets, it has a range of 6 km and a maximum altitude of 3.8 km. FN-16 is an improvement of earlier FN-6, with better all aspect attack capability and better resistance against electronic countermeasures. The missile system is designed to counter fighter-bomber, attack aircraft, and helicopters. UAV, cruise missile etc.
The CS/SA5 is equipped with a detection radar located at the rear of the turret. The vehicle is equipped with computerized tracking and firing control systems. All weapon systems are fitted on an 8×8 chassis, which is likely an additional variant of Type 08 armored personnel carrier.
Low-flying, slow and small targets like drones and loitering munitions have become one of the biggest threats in air defense in modern warfare, as demonstrated in the Ukraine crisis. It would be unreasonable to use other expensive systems to engage in such aerial targets. A self-propelled air defense system like the CS/SA5 would fill the gap in the PLA’s air defense network.
