China delivers HJ-12 Red Arrow anti-tank guided missile weapon systems to Algeria


According to information released by the Bulgarian Military website on July 25, 2020, China has exported its HJ-12 dubbed Red Arrow 12 to Algeria, a third-generation of portable anti-tank guided missile weapon. The HJ-12 was unveiled during the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in November 2014.
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Chinese-made HJ-12 Red Arrow 12 Man-portable anti-tank guided missile weapon system. (Picture source Army Recognition)


The HJ-12 is a third generation of man-portable anti-tank guided missile weapon which has fire-and-forget capability allowing the missile to not require further guidance after launch such as illumination of the target or wire guidance and can hit its target without the launcher being in line-of-sight of the target.

The HJ-12 missile launching system consists of three main parts including the launch missile container mounted on a tripod with its fire control unit. The missile is equipped with a new seeker that uses a non-inductive thermal imager and a white CCD camera for day and night combat capabilities. The missile can be also fitted with an IR imaging seeker for all-weather day-and-night use. The TV version has a maximum range of 4,000 m, while the IR version has only a maximum range of 2,000 m.

The warhead of the missile uses a tandem shaped charge design with an estimated penetration capability of up to 1,100 mm of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) after penetrating explosive reactive armor. When facing non-armored point targets, bunkers and fortifications, the missile can be fitted with either high-explosive or thermal effect warheads.

Since many years, China has exported many military types of equipment to Algeria. According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Arms Trade Database, since 2012, Algeria has acquired from China C-28A Frigate, C-802/CSS-N-8 anti-ship missiles, PLZ-45 155mm self-propelled howitzer, SR-5 Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems, CH-3 / CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicles, SM-4 120mm self-propelled mortar and W-86 120mm mortars.