Imagine a future conflict scenario in which hundreds and thousands of unmanned platforms converge on a shared target in a coordinated manner, able to alter their path autonomously. In a scenario like this, traditional air defenses are unlikely to be able to intercept all the attacking drones due to the overwhelming nature of the attack. Keeping this scenario in view, China’s largest arms manufacturer Norinco has recently unveiled an anti-drone swarm system called Bullet Curtain. The system releases a large number of bullets to clear the sky of drone swarms. It uses 35mm rounds that explode mid-air, releasing hundreds of sub-projectiles to form a lethal cloud that obliterates anything in the target area. The integration of an optical detection system, radar, and adaptive fire control equips the Bullet Curtain to respond according to the changing threat environment. The system can do more than just neutralize a swarm of drones; it can counter a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, rockets, cruise missiles, and mortar shells. The Bullet Curtain can be integrated with diverse platforms including armored vehicles and naval ships as well as fixed military installations. This multiplatform compatibility ensures rapid deployment and battlefield readiness wherever threats emerge. Today, drones – or, more formally, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – have emerged as a platform for engaging adversaries both in peacetime and during conflicts. Drones are increasingly used by militaries around the world due to their cost effectiveness and ability to penetrate enemy air defense systems. During the Second Nagorno-Karabakh war, for example, Azerbaijan utilized UAVs to target Armenian ground forces, ultimately resulting in a ceasefire agreement in Azerbaijan’s favor. Similarly, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has witnessed the extensive use of drones. Non-state actors like the Houthis in Yemen are also utilizing drones to undermine regional stability. For defenders, this trend poses the problem of drone interception. Traditional air defenses have been somewhat effective in countering individual UAVs; however, drone swarms are hard to intercept. Even if some of the drones are successfully neutralized, others will penetrate defenses and hit the intended target. In this context, China’s Bullet Curtain system represents a major leap forward in anti-drone swarm technology. Unlike traditional air defenses, the Bullet Curtain emphasizes volume over precision. Importantly, it offers an economical solution to a costly problem. Compared to the traditional air defenses that utilize costly guided interceptors, the Bullet Curtain uses cheap 35mm bullets. Norinco claims the system is able to intercept not just drones but cruise missiles as well, which would mark a further significant development in the evolving landscape of modern warfare. Keeping this in view, the Bullet Curtain system has strong export potential, particularly among countries seeking affordable and effective solutions to the rising drone threat. Norinco has already indicated that it will market this system internationally. Traditional air defense systems tend to be too expensive for many developing countries, but the Bullet Curtain’s emphasis on volume-based interception using relatively inexpensive 35mm rounds could make it highly attractive to other states. Still, the Bullet Curtain system is not without limitations. First, its reliance on mass firing of 35mm bullets could create risks of collateral damage – especially in urban environments, where falling debris could cause unintended harm. Second, the extensive use of ammunition could cause logistical burdens during prolonged engagements. Finally, the system is only effective for aerial objects flying at low or medium altitudes due to the range of the system. Therefore, the Bullet Curtain would function most effectively as part of a layered air defense network rather than serving as a standalone solution. To understand this development in a broader context, it is important to note that China is advancing toward “intelligentized” warfare. This concept focuses on the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones into military operations. In 2019, a State Council white paper on national defense highlighted intelligentized warfare as the core component of Chinese military modernization. In 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the development of intelligent combat capabilities to keep the pace with the trends of warfare. The objective is to create highly efficient, adaptable, and autonomous systems that significantly enhance the decision-making processes and combat capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The development of the Bullet Curtain system serves as a clear example of how China is embedding these technologies into its defense strategy. It also illustrates the PLA’s vision of addressing the increasingly complex aerial threat landscape while positioning China to maintain technological superiority in future conflicts.