Image source: topwar.ru
China has shown a model of a new version of the Yitian II 8x8 short-range anti-aircraft system, which the developers position as a "worthy competitor" to the Russian Pantsir-S system and Western air defense systems such as the German IRIS-T SLS.
The mobile system, being designed to counter UAVs, helicopters and other low-flying threats, is designed to provide cover for maneuverable units from high-precision strikes and enemy reconnaissance assets in the form of drones.
Mounted on the chassis of an 8x8 VN-1 armored vehicle (export version of the ZBL-08) with a travel speed of over 100 km/h, the Yitian II combines on one platform a 3D search radar (with a target detection range of up to 18-20 km), an AFAR target tracking radar, an optoelectronic station with a thermal imager for passive guidance in radio silence conditions (operating radius up to 10 km) and 8 ready-to-launch missiles. This allows you to detect targets and hit them without external support, acting completely autonomously. The reaction time to threats is less than 7 seconds.
The new type of TY-20 missile has a firing range of up to 18-20 km, which is 3 times more than its predecessor TY-90 (based on the URVV for helicopters) with a range of 6 km. The working height is 4 thousand m. The missiles can be equipped with both infrared (TY-20I version) and active radar seeker (TY-20R modification), which allows them to work on the "shot-forget" principle.
Image source: topwar.ru
Yitian II is actively promoted by NORINCO Corporation in the Middle East and African markets. For example, the "younger" version, the Yitian-L (based on a 4x4 jeep), was already seen in service with the Malian army in April 2026.
The Yitian II drone is a further development of Yitian (first introduced in 2004), based on platforms such as the WMZ-551 6x6 APC. Yitian and Yitian II complement more powerful complexes (such as HQ-16 or HQ-9) that work on high-altitude targets.
Compared to the American AN/TWQ-1 Avenger and the older French SANTAL-type air defense systems, the Yitian II has a longer range and a more advanced onboard sensor system.
Unlike the Russian Pantsir-S, it does not have cannon armament and impressive armor (8 missiles against 12 or 48 small-sized ones in the latest versions). But its main advantage is the type of guidance based on the "shot-forget" principle thanks to the combined GPS (active radar or thermal imager). Pantsir uses radio command guidance, which requires the vehicle to "highlight" the radar target until the very moment of impact.
