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CHINA Rolls Out Defense Variant Of 3rd Gen HJ-12 Antitank Missile System For Unknown Potential Customer:
PAKISTAN’s All-weather Ally and Iron Brother CHINA has rolled out the export variant of 3rd Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) for an unknown potential customer.
According to the details, the CHINA’s state owned Arms Exporting Company Norinco has cut the deal for first export shipment of CHINA’s 3rd Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System for unknown potential customer. The company has not disclosed any further details about the deal, including the name, quality and value of the deal.
The CHINESE Company Norinco has showcased the Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) first time at the International Exhibition in 2014.
As far as the technical specs is concerned; the both systems are very close in their overall technical tactical characteristics and both the system shows the illuminating target during the operation, so the operator doesn’t have to locked the target in the crosshair like the conventional weapons.
The CHINESE Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) is a very robust and potent system and it is basically the best non-western competitor and alternative of the US-made portable FGM-148 Javelin Fire and Forget System.
Both systems exhibit Fire and Forget principle, which increases the chance of survivability in the hybrid complex warfare environment.
The Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) has the same range of 4,000 meters as the US-counterpart and both the systems weight around 22 Kilograms in total.
It is worth mentioning that all the previous Anti-Tank Missile Systems (ATCM) that CHINA has developed don’t possess the Fire and Forget capability. These earlier versions included the HJ-11, HJ-10, HJ-9 and HJ-8 Anti-Tank Missile Systems (ATCM). Interestingly, all of these systems were also developed by Norinco Military Industrial Group Corporation.
The biggest drawback of the US FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Tank Missile is its high-cost as the price of the kit consisting of a Javelin Missile and a Launcher exceeds $200,000.
This is the area, where CHINESE Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) has an edge over its US competitor, as CHINA has yet not disclosed the actual price of the system, but it is expected to be much lower than the US variant.
CHINA can also offer this state of the art system to its All-Weather Ally PAKISTAN and it can also marketed the system in conflict-ridden Middle East Countries, such as Syria, Iraq and Yemen, where Anti-Tank Missile Systems are regarded as the most lethal and potent weapons.
Specifications of the CHINESE Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM):
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Launcher:
The launcher Unit of the CHINESE Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) seems to be similar to the US FGM-148 Javelin Fire and Forget Anti-Tank Missile System.
The Missile System Container of the launcher is mounted on a tripod with its fire control unit. The firing sight of the launcher is mounted on the left side of the launcher. The launcher can easily be used either by hand or it can also be mounted on a combat vehicle for portability purposes.
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Missile System of CHINESE Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM):
The missile system of the Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) uses the active TV Imaging Seeker and it can operate in all weather conditions both in day and night time.
The missile system has a maximum range up to 4,000 meters. The missile has a total weight around 17 Kilograms and it has a wingspan of 560 mm. The missile of HJ-12 Missile System measures 1050 x 127 mm. The total diameter of the HJ-12 Missile Tube is 170 mm and it has a total length up to 1250 mm in total.
The missile system is Armed with the Tandem HEAT warhead and it can easily penetrate 1,100 mm of armor protected by the explosive reactive armor.
The missile can easily neutralize a wide range of enemy targets as the bunkers, tanks, helicopters and small-boats.
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Combat Use:
The CHINESE 3rd Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) uses the revolutionary Fire and Forget Technology, which is still used in handpicked missile systems available in the world, including the US FGM-148 Javelin missile system.
The missile can guide itself easily towards the locked target, so the operator has enough time to immediately take cover or reload the missile for another hit. Apart from using the Tandem HEAT Warhead, the missile system also features the direct-attack and arched top-attack projectiles to neutralize a wide range of enemy targets as boats, tanks, bunkers and slow-flying UAV and helicopters.
The CHINESE Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) features the soft-launch design and it can easily be fired from inside the bunkers or buildings.
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Other Accessories:
The whole system of the Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM) comes with the Command Launching Unit (CLU), including the battery, tripod, missile launch unit and the thermal sight mounted to the left side of the missile system
Technical Data of CHINESE Third Generation HJ-12 Anti-Tank Missile System (ATCM):
- Type: Missile
- Missile Technology: TV Imaging Seeker
- Range: 4,000 Meters
- Total Weight of Launcher: 22 Kilograms Command Launched Unit and 17 Kilograms Missile
- Armor Penetration: 1,100 mm Explosive Reactive Armor
- Warhead Type: HEAT
- Crew: 1 Infantry Men
- Mode: Manual and can be mounted on Combat Vehicle
- Accessories: Thermal Sight
