Point-defence is the defence of a single object or a limited area, e.g. a ship, building or airfield, usually against air attacks and nowadays usually against guided missiles. Point-defence weapons have a smaller range in contrast to area-defence systems and are placed near or on the object to protect.

Point-defence may include:

• short-ranged interceptor aircraft
• Close-in weapon systems on ships
• land-based short-ranged anti-aircraft guns or surface-to-air missile systems

Coastal artillery to protect harbours could be considered as point-defence but is generally not. Nor are passive systems like electronic countermeasures, decoys, chaff, flares or barrage balloons considered point-defence.

See point-defense laser cannon for the light antifighter weapon in the Star Wars Universe.

Examples

• MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) - in current use by the US Navy.
• TROPHY APS - a point defense system for individual armored vehicles.
• Metal Storm - as this technology matures, it may be tapped for use as point defense, likely on naval vessels or other large platforms.