China Fires 16 Ballistic Missiles In Large-scale Test And Unveils Next-Gen Radar System

In a striking demonstration of military prowess, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has showcased a radar system that may redefine the future of missile defense. By launching up to 16 ballistic missiles at a single target in the Gobi Desert, the PLA successfully stress-tested a cutting-edge dual-band radar designed to neutralize even the most complex, saturation-style attacks.

According to a paper published in February by Zhang Zhenbiao—a senior engineer at the PLA’s 63623 Unit in Jiuquan—the new phased array radar system tracked every missile with complete accuracy, achieving a perfect 100% hit rate.

The radar in question uses a dual-band (S/X) design, which allows for a powerful combination of wide-area tracking (S-band) and high-resolution targeting (X-band). This blend provides early detection and precision engagement, particularly crucial when dealing with next-gen threats such as hypersonic glide vehicles or missiles equipped with MIRVs (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles).

In the words of the researchers, this radar demonstrated the ability to “continuously track 31 decoys and secondary targets while prioritizing seven high-value threats.” In the world of modern warfare, that kind of capability represents a significant edge, especially against adversaries relying on saturation tactics to overwhelm defenses.

The implications of this test were underscored by its simulated backdrop: the October 2024 Iranian missile strike on Israel, where more than 30 projectiles penetrated defenses and hit the Nevatim Airbase. That incident exposed limitations even in highly sophisticated systems like Israel’s U.S.-backed Arrow. In contrast, China’s radar handled the saturation scenario with apparent ease, picking out real threats from decoys, even amid jamming and mid-flight disruptions.

Perhaps even more telling than the system’s technical success is the sheer scale of the test. Launching 16 ballistic missiles in one go—outside of actual wartime—is a logistical and financial feat. Ballistic missiles remain among the most expensive tools in any military’s arsenal. This kind of live-fire demonstration, rarely seen even in top-tier defense exercises, signals Beijing’s unwavering commitment to military modernization.

This isn’t China’s first public flex of its missile muscle. Back in 2023, state-run CCTV aired footage of a fully autonomous missile production line, hinting at a future where manufacturing speed and scale may match (or outpace) rival powers. The latest test amplifies that message—China is not just building more missiles, it’s building the systems to guide, track, and defend against them with unmatched precision.

While the U.S. Navy’s USNS Howard O. Lorenzen radar ship is often cited as the pinnacle of missile tracking, with its ability to handle over 1,000 targets at on, e—it has never been showcased in a live-fire scenario like this. China’s public and successful test may change how future threats and defenses are assessed around the globe.

In a time when military readiness is as much about perception as power, China’s radar test delivers both: a sophisticated show of technological might and a clear statement of strategic intent.