China has filed a patent for a foldable anti-drone canopy for tanks that closely resembles a Ukrainian battlefield invention.
The development, attributed to Dragon Shield Intelligent Equipment of Wuhu, Anhui Province, marks another instance of foreign adaptations of Ukrainian protective designs, which were earlier copied by Russia.
According to the patent description, the system consists of a lightweight, collapsible, blast-resistant protective mesh designed to shield tanks from drones carrying suspended munitions. The Chinese design introduces a motorized folding and unfolding mechanism, allowing crews to deploy the canopy when needed and retract it during maneuver operations.
“The result is a light, foldable, and blast-resistant protective mesh for tanks that prevents damage from drones with suspended weapons,” the patent states. “The proposed construction allows the protective mesh to be deployed to cover the tank when necessary, and folded compactly against the hull when not in use, reducing overall dimensions and improving maneuverability.”
The system is designed to be mounted over the tank’s hull, independent of the turret. When folded, the canopy lies flush against the vehicle’s structure. In its deployed state, it covers the tank’s upper surfaces, providing an additional layer of defense against drones equipped with improvised explosive devices or specialized anti-armor munitions.
The innovation is part of a broader global trend in which militaries and defense firms are developing countermeasures to the rising threat of first-person-view (FPV) drones and quadcopters. Ukraine’s defense industry pioneered many of these adaptations during the war, fielding foldable steel and mesh canopies designed to protect tanks and armored vehicles from precision drone strikes.
Russia was the first to replicate Ukraine’s foldable canopy concept, integrating crude versions into its armored fleet over the past year. Now, Chinese firms are advancing the idea with more industrialized features, including automation to speed up deployment and retraction.
The Chinese patent highlights the growing demand for modular, adaptable protection systems that can be mounted on existing tanks without major modifications. By focusing on weight reduction and blast resistance, the developers sought to ensure that the canopy can withstand explosive impacts while minimizing interference with vehicle performance.
While it remains unclear whether the system will enter mass production or be integrated into the People’s Liberation Army’s armored units, its development reflects how quickly frontline innovations are spreading beyond Ukraine’s battlefields.
The war in Ukraine has accelerated global interest in anti-drone defenses, with tank crews increasingly vulnerable to aerial attacks by cheap, expendable drones. Simple but effective battlefield solutions — such as foldable canopies, cage armor, and electronic countermeasures — are being studied and replicated by defense industries worldwide.