The Chinese HJ-9A (HongJian) anti-tank missile system reappeared in a recent maneuver by the Royal Navy. Here are the details of this new system which reinforces and modernizes the arsenal of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR).
As part of the commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the creation of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), a ceremony was held at the first naval base of the Royal Navy in Casablanca, during which the various detachments of the Royal Navy took part in a military parade.
During this event, the Royal Navy was spotted training with China’s HJ-9A anti-tank missile system, also known as ‘Red Arrow 9A’. It should be noted that this anti-tank missile, with a range of 5.5 km, is generally mounted on vehicles, but it is a version which can in particular be mounted on a tripod of the HJ-9 anti-tank guided missile and operate from the ground.
The HJ-9A was designed primarily to destroy tanks, armored vehicles and fortifications, thanks to its tandem High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead. It is capable of penetrating reactive armor or armor up to 1,200 mm. This was officially introduced in 2005 and was already in service with the Chinese Liberation Army.
This upgraded version of the previous HJ-9A uses a semi-active radar guidance system with millimeter wave technology. It has a longer range and is better protected against enemy jamming. In appearance, it resembles an American BGM-71D missile of the TOW 2 system, Israeli MAPATS and South African INGWE anti-tank missiles, and may be similar in performance to a Russian Kornet.
In addition to the HJ-9A anti-tank missile system, the FAR arsenal also includes the HJ-8L system, guided by wire and using SACLOS technology, and can accommodate two missiles, a smaller one with a range of 3km and a larger with a range of up to 4 km. They also have American systems, including several variants of wire-guided TOW missiles, as well as French MILAN, Ukrainian SKIF, Israeli SPIK, Russian KORNET and Konkurs missiles.