China demonstrates Red Arrow-12E anti-tank guided missile – a competitor to the US Javelin
The Chinese company North Industries Corporation (Norinco) demonstrated the HJ-12E anti-tank guided missile, also known as the Red Arrow-12E. The HJ-12, characterized as a third-generation anti-tank guided missile, has a “fire and forget” mode, making it the first Chinese ATGM with this capability.
The Red Arrow-12E missile system, which requires a two-person team to operate, was developed to replace older models such as the HJ-73 and HJ-8, and the HJ-10, which is mounted on a vehicle, is designed to replace the HJ-9.
The third-generation HJ-12 is equipped with a thermal imaging system with phased array antennas and is characterized by a “shoot and forget” capability. This feature allows for the use of armored vehicle attack modes, making it the first Chinese ATGM with this capability.
The missile design includes four X-shaped wings and tail rudders that are deployed after launch to increase the missile’s accuracy and efficiency.
The total weight of the system, including the rocket, launch tube and control unit, is between 17 and 22 kg. This does not take into account the additional weight of the backup batteries: teams usually have from 5 to 10 batteries, depending on the duration of the mission.
The system is designed to transport individual soldiers on foot, making the Red Arrow-12 group the heaviest load among the Chinese army’s main infantry units. The cost of the rocket is more than 50,000 yen ($7,000), and the cost of the reusable launch control component is 130,000 yen ($18,200).
The 135 mm diameter of the HJ-12 suggests the potential for a heavier warhead than the US FGM-148 Javelin, which has a diameter of 114 mm. The HJ-12 is equipped with an 8.4-kilogram conical-shaped Explosive Reactive Armor Penetrator (HEAT) warhead capable of penetrating 1,100 mm of homogeneous steel armor. Its effective range is from 75 to 2000 meters with the possibility of extending up to 4000 meters with TV guidance.
The missile’s guidance systems include television guidance, infrared (IIR) guidance and “shoot and forget” technology, which provides image guidance and target image memory. Its radiation control components include passive target detection and fire control, as well as a built-in daytime/thermal vision mode that provides four and nine times magnification levels.
In addition to defeating ground tanks, the HJ-12 can hit bunker fortifications, boats and low-flying helicopters. It uses a “soft launch” technology that allows it to be launched from confined spaces such as buildings or bunkers. This launch method minimizes the impact and characteristics of smoke, providing tactical flexibility in urban environments.
