PGZ-04A

PGZ-04A, also known through the PGZ-95 family, was developed to give Chinese maneuver formations a tracked short-range air-defense vehicle combining automatic cannon and missiles. It reflected the PLA's need to defend armored and mechanized units against helicopters, low-flying aircraft and UAVs while keeping pace with ground forces.

The system combines four 25 mm automatic cannon with short-range surface-to-air missiles, radar, electro-optical sights and a tracked chassis. The gun-missile mix gives it layered engagement options: guns for very close targets and missiles for longer point-defense shots. Its limits are typical of SHORAD vehicles: short range, dependence on sensors and vulnerability if isolated from a wider air-defense network.

Operationally, PGZ-04A-type vehicles support mobile air defense around mechanized units, bridges, headquarters and logistics nodes. Their presence forces enemy helicopters and drones to operate more cautiously. As UAV threats grow, such gun-missile systems remain relevant, though they require modern sensors and integration to be effective against small drones.