China has developed a new lightweight air defense vehicle called Yitian, built on a 4×4 off-road chassis from Yema.
The system combines an armored crew compartment with launchers adapted for TY-90 missiles, designed to intercept helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles at low altitudes. The Yitian stands out for its mobility, enabling operations in difficult terrains and coastal areas where larger systems cannot operate.
The vehicle is operated by a crew of just two people, using joysticks and an interface considered intuitive by the state-owned manufacturer Norinco, which reduces training time and simplifies control in restricted situations. The missiles, adapted for ground launch, have warheads of around 3 kg, capable of neutralizing rotorcraft with a single hit, and offer engagement capability in any direction.
According to Norinco, the Yitian is aimed at the export market and is a response to low-observability, low-altitude threats. The system is designed to engage helicopters, drones of various sizes flying at very low altitudes, and cruise missiles in their terminal phase of attack, expanding short-range air defense options in complex scenarios.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @jesusfroman | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
1/2 Lightweight “Yitian” Air Defense missile (TY-90) combat vehicle, developed by 🇨🇳NORINCO, over a 4×4 off-road Yema off-road vehicle chassis.
It requires 2 crew members: a driver & a second operator capable of search, lock-on, & strike missions.
… pic.twitter.com/31gumGK9pc— Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) October 11, 2025
