Point defense

From SEWiki

Point defense is the ability to defend something (a ship, base, planet, etc.) from small incoming spacecraft such as fighters and missiles. In Space Empires II, any direct fire weapon can perform this role. In Space Empires III and Space Empires IV, many but not all direct fire weapons can perform the role, but there is a dedicated weapon, the Point-Defense Cannons, which is especially good at it. In Space Empires V, again, many but not all weapons can fill the role, but there are a number of weapons ranging from Point-Defense Cannons to Bomblet Missiles designed specifically for point defense.