HJ-8

The HJ-8 or Hongjian-8 is a second generation tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided anti-tank missile system which was originally deployed by the People's Liberation Army in the late 1980s.

Development

In 1970, China's armored corps first proposed to develop a successor to HJ-73 and this was later approved, designated as the AFT-8 or HJ-8. The missile was jointly developed by Research Institute 203 and 282nd Factory, but the program was interrupted by political turmoil. The key designers were Wang Xingzhi (王兴治) and Zhao Jiazheng (赵家铮), who developed the missile. Development was not completed until the early 1980s, after the end of the Cultural Revolution. After receiving state certification, the missile entered mass production in 1984. HJ-8 is an optically tracked, wire guided ATGM.

HJ-8 and its variants are manufactured by NORINCO's Factory 282 (Jiangnan Machine Factory—江南机器厂), Factory 5618 (Hunan South China Photoelectricity Instrument Plant—湖南华南光电仪器厂) of China and Khan Research Laboratories of Pakistan, now by GIDS.[3]

Design

The HJ-8 series is China's first indigenous anti-tank missile design[5]

Combat use

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Baktar-Shikan variant of HJ-8 were supplied to Bosnian government forces by Pakistan in early 1993. It was used by Bosniak army forces against Serb forces tanks during the 1993 offensive, helping them destroy Serb tanks.

Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Army acquired HJ-8 from China during the civil conflict against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).[9] They were mostly used to destroy LTTE structures, including bunkers.[9]

On at least one occasion during the 2009 Battle of Mullaitivu, the Sri Lankan Army used these weapons against fast attack craft of the Sea Tigers, the LTTE's naval wing.[10]

Syria

Since June 2013, videos showing the use of the HJ-8 by Free Syrian Army rebels against Syrian Arab Army armor have surfaced and have been successful in destroying T-72 tanks.[11]

Iraq

Since December 2014, videos showing the use of the HJ-8 by the Peshmerga against Islamic State (ISIL) have surfaced. The HJ-8 systems might have been captured from ISIL stockpiles.[12][13] The HJ-8 may have been responsible for the destruction of an Iraqi Army M1 Abrams tank by the Peshmerga in the Battle Of Altun Kupri.[12]

Pakistan

The Bhaktar Shikan variant of the HJ-8 made by Pakistan has been used in large numbers against TTP insurgents during Operation Zarb-e-Azb where it was mainly used to destroy hideouts and caves where the insurgents would usually hide. Its use in the Line of Control was reported against Indian Army bunkers and checkposts on the Line of Control during border skirmishes.

Gaza Strip

On June 24, 2024, Izz Adin al-Qassam Brigades published footage of its forces targeting an Israeli Defence Force Namer APC engineering variant equipped with a CARPET[14] thermobaric demining system using an HJ-8, which directly hit the vehicle from the rear and set off an exterior fire which then spread inside.[2] This is the first documented use of this weapon by Al-Qassam Brigades, although other Chinese weapons have reportedly previously been used in the Strip.[15]

On August 1, 2024, Izz Adin al-Qassam Brigades published a second footage of its operatives targeting an Israeli Namer APC hitting it from the side, successfully bypassing the Trophy APS that was present on the vehicle.[16]

Variants

Launchers: Mounted Platforms:

HJ-8 – The original version. Claimed to be able to achieve a kill probability of 90%[17]

HJ-8A – First upgrade of HJ-8 with greater penetration power, slightly larger than HJ-8, with range increased to 4 km.

HJ-8B – A HJ-8 model specifically developed for helicopters, with greater penetration power and range increased to 5.3 km.

HJ-8C – Specifically developed to defeat explosive reactive armour with a tandem-charge. From HJ-8C onward, all HJ-8 missiles can be carried by various platforms.

HJ-8D – Upgraded variant with tandem charge.

HJ-8E – Upgrade of HJ-8B/C with a new rocket motor with a range of up to 4 km, entered service in mid-1990. Fire-control system (FCS) is highly digitized and includes a thermal imaging system for all-weather day-night capability. The HJ-8E anti-tank missile weighs 24.5 kg, has a range of up to 4,000 m, can also defeat explosive reactive armour (ERA).

HJ-8F – Variant with an anti bunker warhead.

HJ-8FAE – Version featuring a thermobaric warhead.

HJ-8L – A model with reduced overall weight, L meaning "light". Using feedback from the Bosnian War, HJ-8E was designed to meet the need of a lightweight ATGM that is just as capable as heavier models. HJ-8L can accommodate two missiles, one smaller with 3 km range and one larger with 4 km range. New microelectronics are used in the fire-control system and use of composite materials in the launching/storage system reduce weight to 22.5 kg, so that HJ-8L can be carried by a crew of two.

HJ-8H – Upgraded HJ-8E; adopting the same fire-control system and lightweight launching/storage system of HJ-8L. Uses a new missile, capable of engaging ground targets 6 km away and low speed aerial targets such as helicopters 4 km away.

HJ-8S – Variant with an anti ship warhead.

Baktar-Shikan – Baktar-Shikan ( "Armour Piercing") is a variant of HJ-8 that has been manufactured under license by Pakistan at Khan Research Laboratories.[18][19] The missile and launch system can be quickly disassembled into four sub-units, each weighing less than 25 kg, making the system crew-portable. Baktar-Shikan is also mounted on Pakistani armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and a modified air-launched variant is used to arm the AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships and other helicopters of the Pakistan Army Aviation wing. Pakistan also exports Baktar-Shikan. The export version is credited to destroy all currently known tank targets with a 90% hit and penetration probability at a distance of 3 km.[20] Baktar-Shikan has been exported to Bangladesh and Malaysia. A multi-launcher station for four Baktar-Shikan tubes were displayed by GIDS in 2016.[21] An indoor training simulator is also available with Baktar-Shikan. It is an exact replica of the weapon and is used to train operators by simulating various target speeds, ranges and angles. The target's movement parameters can be adapted to the progressive skill level of the operator under training.[22] An optional laser aiming device is also under development to increase accuracy at longer ranges.

HJ-11 (AFT-11): The designation was revealed in 2014,[25] with public display in 2017.[26] The missile is a development of HJ-8 with semi-active laser guidance and laser beam riding. The missile served as a low-cost alternative to the more expensive HJ-12 missile system.[26] It received a new designation HJ-11 and was marketed as a third-generation anti-tank missile by Norinco. Chinese state media reported that missile entered service in 2018.[27]

BJ212 HJ-8: HJ-8 launcher mounted on a Beijing BJ212 as a mobile anti-tank platform.[28]

BJ2020 HJ-8E: HJ-8E launcher mounted on a Beijing BJ2020 as a mobile anti-tank platform.[29]

CSK-181 AFT-11 Carrier: AFT-11 (HJ-11) launcher mounted on a CSK-181 MRAP assault vehicle.[30][31]

type	Anti-tank missile
service	1985–present
wars	Yugoslav Wars Sri Lankan Civil War Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile Syrian Civil War War in Iraq (2013-17) India–Pakistan border skirmishes War in Sudan (2023–present)‡R1R‡ Gaza war‡R2R‡
designer	Research Institute 203
length	1,566 mm
diameter	120 mm
is missile	yes
origin	China
launch platform	Tripod, vehicle, aircraft
manufacturer	NORINCO (Factory 282, Factory 5618) GIDS (Pakistan)‡R3R‡
design date	1970–1984
production date	1984–present
used by	See Operators
variants	see variants
wingspan	???
weight	250 kg
speed	220 m/s
range	0.1–4 km‡R4R‡
engine	Solid-fuel rocket
filling	HEAT
guidance	SACLOS wire guidance

Development

Design

Turret launch platform

Combat use

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sri Lanka

Syria

Iraq

Pakistan

Gaza Strip

Variants

Operators

Non-State actors

Gallery

See also

External links

References