In a development that has raised concerns among defense analysts, China has begun equipping its airborne infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) with advanced active protection systems (APS), signaling intensified efforts to prepare for high-end warfare — possibly with Taiwan as a central focus.
Recent footage circulated on Chinese social media platform Weibo shows ZBD-03 airborne IFVs retrofitted with what appears to be the GL6 active protection system, a radar-guided, hard-kill defensive suite designed to intercept incoming anti-armor munitions. This move is the latest in a broader trend of military modernization undertaken by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and in particular, its airborne and rapid deployment units.
The GL6 is part of a new generation of Chinese-made APS technology. It uses radar sensors to detect incoming threats — such as anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), or drone-fired munitions — and then automatically fires explosive projectiles to intercept or deflect the threat before it can strike the vehicle.
This “hard-kill” method of defense mirrors similar systems used by other major military powers, most notably Israel’s Trophy APS, which has seen real-world combat use and is widely regarded as the gold standard in vehicle protection. The Trophy system is currently fielded by the Israeli Defense Forces and several NATO armies, including the United States, and has proven highly effective at neutralizing missile and rocket attacks on armored vehicles.
By integrating a system like the GL6 onto the ZBD-03 — a lightly armored, air-droppable IFV — China is addressing one of the primary vulnerabilities of airborne units: survivability. These vehicles, by design, prioritize mobility and deployability over armor. But with modern battlefields saturated with smart munitions and loitering drones, survivability increasingly depends on active defenses rather than thick armor plating.
The ZBD-03 is a lightweight infantry fighting vehicle used by China’s airborne forces. Designed to be airdropped or transported quickly by air, the vehicle provides mobility and firepower to PLA Air Force units operating behind enemy lines. Weighing roughly 8 tons, the ZBD-03 is armed with a 30mm autocannon and anti-tank missiles, and it can transport up to six infantry troops in addition to its crew.
Its primary role in any conflict, particularly one involving Taiwan, would be to spearhead rapid assault operations — either by air insertion or amphibious landing. However, given its light armor, the ZBD-03 is vulnerable to even modest anti-tank systems. This has made it a candidate for upgrades like the GL6 APS, which would give it a fighting chance against guided munitions or drone attacks.
The appearance of these upgraded vehicles is not an isolated incident. In recent months, analysts have observed a steady expansion in the use of active protection systems across PLA armored units. Variants of the GL6 have been seen on China’s flagship Type 99A and VT-4 main battle tanks, as well as amphibious assault vehicles like the ZTD-05.
In field tests, the GL6 has successfully intercepted drone-fired RPGs and anti-tank missiles, suggesting a high level of technological maturity. According to Chinese military outlets and independent defense watchers, the system can engage multiple threats at once, including top-down attacks — a capability essential for countering modern drone warfare.
These advances reflect a larger doctrinal shift in the PLA. Chinese military planners appear to be preparing for scenarios in which their forces would need to operate in contested environments saturated with precision-guided munitions, autonomous drones, and smart mines — all of which are features of modern high-intensity conflict.
While Chinese officials have not made any direct statements linking the ZBD-03 upgrades to Taiwan, the geopolitical backdrop is hard to ignore. Taiwan’s military is well-equipped with advanced anti-tank weaponry, including U.S.-supplied Javelin missiles, as well as growing stocks of loitering munitions and drone systems. In the event of a cross-strait invasion, any Chinese landing force would be heavily targeted by these systems.
By enhancing the survivability of its airborne IFVs, China may be attempting to offset some of these defensive advantages. Airborne and amphibious units would be among the first to encounter Taiwanese resistance, and their ability to survive long enough to establish a beachhead or secure key infrastructure could determine the success or failure of a broader campaign.
Moreover, PLA airborne units have conducted multiple high-profile exercises in recent years simulating rapid deployment, air assault, and joint amphibious operations. The recurring theme in these drills is speed and integration — the kind of warfare where forces must deploy quickly, operate in contested zones, and survive intense enemy fire.
China is not alone in this strategic evolution. Around the world, APS technology is becoming a standard feature on frontline armored vehicles. Israel, Russia, the United States, and several NATO countries are all actively deploying or developing similar systems. Russia’s Arena and Afghanit systems, the U.S. Army’s experimentation with Iron Fist and Trophy, and Germany’s development of the MUSS soft-kill APS are all examples of this trend.
What makes China’s GL6 program notable is the speed at which it has progressed and the range of vehicles being fitted. By deploying APS on everything from heavy tanks to lightweight air-mobile vehicles, China is signaling an intent to make this technology standard across its armored fleet.
This approach is also consistent with China’s emphasis on “informatized” and “intelligentized” warfare — concepts rooted in using advanced technologies like AI, sensors, and real-time battlefield data to make faster and better combat decisions. APS fits neatly into this vision, acting as a semi-autonomous, sensor-driven defense that requires minimal human intervention once threats are detected.
These developments come amid continued tension in the Taiwan Strait. Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels regularly operate around Taiwan in what Beijing calls routine drills but which Taipei and many international observers see as coercive maneuvers.
The United States, while maintaining strategic ambiguity on whether it would intervene militarily in a Taiwan conflict, has increased arms sales to the island and stepped up joint training exercises with regional allies. Japan, South Korea, and Australia have also grown more vocal in their concerns about the security environment in the Indo-Pacific.
In this context, every new military capability demonstrated by China is scrutinized for signs of intent. While the integration of the GL6 APS on airborne vehicles like the ZBD-03 may be framed as a defensive measure, it is also a clear indicator that China is preparing for offensive operations in high-threat environments.
The deployment of active protection systems like the GL6 across China’s armored forces — especially on lightly armored, air-deployable platforms — is more than a technical upgrade. It reflects a strategic shift toward preparing for high-intensity, technologically sophisticated warfare, possibly aimed at Taiwan or other contested areas.
For China, this enhances the survivability of key strike units, bolsters confidence in rapid deployment tactics, and aligns with its broader military modernization goals. For regional observers and potential adversaries, it is a warning that the PLA is not only growing in size but also in tactical sophistication — and is preparing for scenarios in which its forces face modern, lethal threats head-on.
