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HJ-10
HJ-10
from Wikipedia

HJ-10 (or "Red Arrow 10") is a Chinese ground-launched anti-tank missile developed by Norinco. It has a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, that may penetrate 1,400 mm (55 in) of conventional steel armour protected by explosive reactive armour. The maximum range is 10 km (6.2 mi), with pre- or post-launch lock-on.[1] The system is analogous to Israel's Spike-ER, Serbia's ALAS and North Korea's Bulsae-4 multi-purpose wire-guided missiles.[2][3]

Key Information

Deployment

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AFT-10, equipped on the ZBD-04A anti-tank platform, is the ATGM version of the HJ-10 platform and it is the first one to be developed. Eight missiles and a retractable sensor mast is mounted on the ZBD-04, with sensors including a thermal camera, TV camera and a laser range finder.[4] A millimeter-wave radar system is mounted at the front-right corner of the vehicle to improve all-weather operation capability.[5]

Variants

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AFT-10

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The AFT-10 (Chinese: 反坦克导弹-10; pinyin: Fǎn tǎnkè dǎodàn-10; lit. 'Anti-tank missile-10') is the surface-to-surface variant in the HJ-10 family, receiving designation of AFT-10. AFT-10 is a fiber-optic wire-guided missile that equipped with ZBD-04 Anti-tank platform. AFT-10 was first revealed in its deployment in Peace Mission 2014 joint military exercise.[4]

Missile Specification:

  • Length (mm): 1,850 mm (73 in)
  • Diameter (mm): 170 mm (6.7 in)
  • Missile weight (kg): 43 kg (95 lb)
  • System weight (kg): 105
  • Max range (km): 10 km (6.2 mi)
  • Min range (km): 3 km (1.9 mi)
  • Search speed (m/s): 150
  • Attack speed (m/s): 250
  • g overload: 15
  • Guidance: fiber optic + MMW radar or fiber optic + ImIR

Mounted Platforms:

  • ZBD-04A AT: Eight AFT-10 missiles with sensors mounted on ZBD-04A chassis.[6]
  • Type 08/VN1 AT: Eight AFT-10 missiles with sensors mounted on Type 08 (VN-1) 8x8 chassis.[7]
  • CTM-133 AT: Eight AFT-10 missiles with sensors mounted on CTM-133 truck chassis.[8][9]
  • CTL-181A AT: Four AFT-10 missiles with sensors mounted on CTL181A assault vehicle chassis.

Operators

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See also

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Red Arrow Development
  • HJ-8 - wire-guided anti-tank missile system
  • HJ-9 - beam-riding anti-tank missile system
  • HJ-12 - man-portable infrared-homing anti-tank missile system
Similar weapons
Related lists

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The HJ-10, known internationally as Red Arrow-10, is a ground-launched (ATGM) developed by () for the . It features a tandem () capable of penetrating up to 1,400 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) protected by (). Employing fiber-optic guidance for enhanced concealment, resistance to jamming, and non-line-of-sight targeting, the missile achieves a maximum of 10 kilometers with a flight time of up to 60 seconds. The system, weighing approximately 105 kg in its portable configuration, was adopted by the PLA in 2012 and has been integrated into various platforms, including vehicle-mounted launchers, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Variants such as the AFT-10 enable air-to-surface and anti-helicopter roles, underscoring its multi-purpose design for modern .

Development

Origins and Early Development

The HJ-10, also known as Red Arrow 10, originated as part of China's efforts in the late 1990s to develop advanced anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) to succeed earlier systems like the HJ-8 and HJ-9, driven by the need for fire-and-forget capabilities against modern armored threats. Developed by the China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), the missile was initially designed for integration with the CAIC Z-10 attack helicopter, whose own development commenced in the mid-1990s to provide the People's Liberation Army (PLA) with a dedicated anti-armor platform. This parallel progression reflected China's strategic response to observed deficiencies in confronting heavily armored formations, influenced by evaluations of foreign systems such as the AGM-114 Hellfire. Early development focused on incorporating an imaging infrared seeker for autonomous target tracking, a tandem () to penetrate explosive reactive armor, and a solid-fuel motor for extended range. The project, spanning over two decades from conceptual studies in the tied to broader armament needs dating to 1979, encountered significant technical challenges in guidance precision and performance but achieved completion by 2004. Initial designs emphasized air-launch compatibility, marking the HJ-10 as China's first ATGM primarily conceived for deployment, with ground-launched adaptations following later. Key milestones in the early phase included overcoming integration hurdles with the Z-10 platform by the early 2000s, enabling initial testing of seeker and propulsion systems. The fourth-generation represented a shift toward beyond-visual-range engagement, with development motivated by PLA requirements for suppressing enemy armor in high-threat environments without exposing launch platforms. Norinco's efforts prioritized reliability and export potential, laying the groundwork for subsequent variants.

Testing, Production, and Introduction

The HJ-10 system underwent initial development testing as part of Norinco's efforts to produce a third-generation weapon, with successful live-fire demonstrations publicly showcased by the manufacturer in October 2019, confirming its tandem warhead penetration against armored targets. Further evaluations in 2025 integrated the missile onto amphibious platforms like modified ZTD-05 vehicles, demonstrating top-attack capabilities in marine exercises amid ongoing refinements for expeditionary forces. Production of the HJ-10 is managed by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), focusing on domestic supply for the due to the system's advanced imaging infrared seeker and non-export status, which limits proliferation risks associated with its long-range precision. Output emphasizes vehicle-launched configurations, such as those on ZBD-04A , with serial manufacturing supporting mechanized units rather than widespread portability. Introduction to PLA service occurred in the early as a successor to second-generation systems like the , enhancing capabilities with beyond-line-of-sight engagement up to 10 km. The system's public debut took place during the September 3, 2015, parade in , highlighting its role in modern combined-arms operations. Subsequent adaptations, including marine corps equipping of Type 05 vehicles by 2025, reflect iterative fielding to address amphibious and rapid-response scenarios.

Design and Technical Specifications

Guidance and Control System

The HJ-10 anti-tank employs a hybrid featuring an electro-optical or imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for , combined with inertial and a bidirectional fiber-optic for real-time command input from the operator. This configuration transmits live video feeds from the seeker's imaging head back to the launch platform, enabling manual steering adjustments during flight and supporting both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight engagements. The fiber-optic link provides inherent resistance to electronic jamming, as it relies on a physical cable rather than radio frequencies, with a planned upgrade path to channels in future variants. The system supports versatile operational modes, including command line-of-sight (CLOS) guidance where the operator locks onto targets before or after launch and directs the via console-displayed imagery, as well as limited functionality leveraging the seeker's autonomous tracking in select scenarios. for guided flight extends from 2 to 10 km, with cruise speeds around 150 m/s and higher velocities during terminal dives up to 230 m/s, allowing for top-attack profiles against armored . Post-launch target redirection is possible, facilitating engagements from concealed firing positions without exposing the operator. Control is achieved through aerodynamic surfaces, such as canards or fins, actuated by onboard servomechanisms responsive to guidance commands derived from the inertial platform and inputs. Early development challenges included integration issues with the gyroscopic stabilization and overall flight control , which were resolved to ensure stable trajectory corrections during powered flight. The HJ-10B variant incorporates an enhanced IIR seeker for improved low-visibility performance and potential expanded autonomous homing.

Warhead, Propulsion, and Performance Metrics

The HJ-10 missile is equipped with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead featuring two shaped charges: a precursor to trigger and defeat explosive reactive armor (ERA) and a primary charge for penetrating the underlying armor. This configuration enables penetration of up to 1,400 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) equivalent behind ERA. Propulsion is achieved via a dual-chamber, dual- solid rocket motor, which provides initial boost and sustained for extended range without requiring a separate sustainer . Key performance metrics include a maximum of 10 km, supporting both pre-launch lock-on and post-launch acquisition modes. The attains a cruising speed of 150 m/s during flight, accelerating to 230 m/s in the terminal dive phase for enhanced impact energy. Overall dimensions comprise a of 1.85 m, of 165 mm, and launch weight of 43 kg.

Launch Platforms and Integration

The HJ-10 is designed for launch from man-portable tripods, enabling dismounted operations with a typical configuration of four missiles per launcher unit connected via fiber-optic guidance to a command or portable control station. This setup supports vertical launch and real-time video transmission back to the operator, with a maximum of 10 kilometers in ground mode. Vehicle integration emphasizes modularity for rapid mounting on wheeled and tracked platforms, including light all-terrain vehicles and , due to its compact dimensions and standardized interface. In the (PLA), the HJ-10 has been incorporated into the ZBD-05 amphibious , equipping marine corps units with quad-launcher pods for enhanced anti-armor firepower during amphibious assaults, as observed in deployments by May 2025. The system was also unveiled on the MV3 4x4 wheeled anti-tank vehicle in October 2023, providing mobile, high-mobility launch capability with integrated fire control for PLA ground forces. Aerial adaptations, such as the AKD-10 variant, enable integration onto rotary-wing platforms like the Z-10 , shifting to for air-to-ground strikes with a similar 10-kilometer range, though these are treated as distinct operational configurations. Overall, the HJ-10's canisterized design facilitates seamless retrofitting across PLA assets, prioritizing compatibility with existing command-and-control networks for networked anti-tank engagements.

Variants and Adaptations

Ground-Launched Variants

The HJ-10 is deployed in ground-launched configurations primarily from armored and amphibious vehicles to provide mobile, long-range anti-armor capability. The AFT-10, the initial adaptation of the HJ-10 system, is mounted on the ZBD-04A with two four-tube launch containers on a raisable mast, accommodating eight ready-to-fire missiles. This setup supports operation via seeker or through fiber-optic link, enabling engagement ranges up to 10 km. Amphibious integration expands the HJ-10's ground-launched role, as seen on the ZTD-05 (Type 05) light amphibious tank, which features two six-tube launchers for a total of 12 top-attack missiles. This variant prioritizes beyond-line-of-sight strikes against armored threats during littoral operations, with recent modifications in 2025 adding telescopic optoelectronic masts for enhanced targeting. Further adaptations include the MV3 4x4 high-mobility vehicle, introduced in 2023 for PLA rapid deployment units, armed with HJ-10 missiles in a configuration suited for wheeled tactical mobility and quick setup. The AFT-10 designation also applies to versions of these ground-launched systems, emphasizing tandem warheads capable of penetrating up to 1,400 mm of rolled homogeneous armor behind explosive reactive armor.

Export and Air-Launched Variants

The export variant of the HJ-10 anti-tank guided is designated Red Arrow-10, marketed by for international sales, featuring adaptations such as integration on wheeled chassis like the VN-1 8x8 armored personnel carrier for compatibility with foreign vehicle fleets. This configuration, often referred to as AFT-10 in promotional materials, maintains the core specifications including a 10 km range and semi-active homing but emphasizes modular launchers for diverse platforms. The system was prominently displayed at events such as IDEX 2019, highlighting its tandem warhead capable of penetrating modern reactive armor. In 2018, the Red Arrow-10A variant was unveiled during a demonstration in , positioning it as a recent addition to China's export-oriented anti-tank arsenal with potential for Middle Eastern markets, though no confirmed contracts have been publicly verified. The 's export emphasis includes photoelectric stabilized guidance for day-night operations and a weight of approximately 43 kg per , with full systems supporting salvo fire from vehicle-mounted quad launchers. The air-launched adaptation of the HJ-10, designated Lan Jian-7 (Blue Arrow-7 or LJ-7), represents China's initial effort to field an anti-tank missile primarily designed for aerial platforms, utilizing semi-active laser homing derived from the ground variant for precision strikes against armored targets. This variant equips unmanned aerial vehicles such as the CH-4 drone and helicopters, with demonstrated compatibility for top-attack profiles and armor penetration exceeding 1,000 mm of rolled homogeneous armor equivalent. The LJ-7 retains fiber-optic or imaging guidance options in some configurations and has been showcased mounted on UAVs, enabling extended standoff ranges up to 10 km from low-altitude launches. Development prioritizes integration with stabilized turrets for aerial fire control, distinguishing it from purely ground-based systems.

Operational Deployment

Integration into PLA Forces

The HJ-10 (Hongjian-10) anti-tank guided missile entered service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force around 2012, marking its adoption as a fiber-optic guided system capable of engaging armored targets at ranges up to 10 kilometers. This integration supplemented existing anti-tank assets, providing enhanced standoff capabilities through top-attack trajectories and tandem high-explosive anti-tank warheads designed to defeat reactive armor. By 2015, the HJ-10 achieved initial operational capability within PLA anti-tank units, with deployments emphasizing vehicle-mounted and tripod-launched configurations for and independent missile detachments. Large-scale exercises in 2016 showcased its tactical employment, including coordinated strikes against simulated armored formations, underscoring its role in modernizing PLA maneuver warfare doctrines. Dedicated anti-tank missile detachments, such as those under the PLA 72nd Group Army, incorporated the HJ-10 for live-fire training, with documented drills on July 20, 2018, in northwest China's desert terrain targeting mock armored vehicles to validate accuracy and guidance under operational conditions. Further adaptations extended to high-altitude environments by August 2020, where PLA units tested the missile's performance against ground and low-speed surface targets on plateaus, demonstrating reliability in diverse terrains critical to border defense scenarios. Integration has prioritized equipping combined-arms brigades with HJ-10 systems on platforms like the infantry fighting vehicle, enabling rapid deployment in anti-armor roles during joint maneuvers. These efforts reflect the PLA's emphasis on precision-guided munitions to counter superior armored threats, with ongoing training focusing on network-centric operations linking missile teams to assets for real-time targeting.

Recent Amphibious and Specialized Adaptations

In April 2025, the (PLA) Marine Corps began integrating the HJ-10 (ATGM) system onto the ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle chassis, enabling top-attack strikes from waterborne platforms. The adaptation mounts two launch pods, each containing six ready-to-fire HJ-10 missiles, for a total of twelve, with the system's guidance allowing autonomous homing on armored targets up to 10 kilometers away. This configuration leverages the ZTD-05's water-jet propulsion for amphibious mobility, combining it with the HJ-10's tandem , which penetrates both dynamic and passive armor protections via top-down attack vectors where vehicle armor is typically thinnest. Testing demonstrated the platform's effectiveness in crossing rivers and swamps while maintaining launch stability, addressing vulnerabilities in littoral and island-hopping operations. The modification extends the HJ-10's utility beyond ground and air launches to specialized marine environments, enhancing PLA amphibious forces' ability to neutralize enemy tanks during beachhead assaults or contested landings, as observed in exercises simulating regional contingencies. Sources indicate this integration prioritizes multi-domain strike capabilities, with the vehicle's retractable sensors supporting in low-visibility conditions. No independent verification of combat performance exists as of October 2025, though reports emphasize its role in modernizing expeditionary anti-armor tactics.

Operators

Primary Operators

The HJ-10 anti-tank guided missile is exclusively operated by the (PLA) of the , with no confirmed exports to foreign militaries as of 2025. Developed by for domestic use, it entered service primarily with the PLA , where it equips and armored units for engaging armored vehicles, fortifications, and low-flying targets at ranges up to 10 kilometers. Within the PLA , HJ-10 systems are integrated into dedicated anti-tank missile carriers like the AFT-10 vehicle, which features dual operator stations for salvo fire capabilities, and mounted on infantry fighting vehicles such as the ZBD-04A for operations. Operators typically employ semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight (SACLOS) guidance or modes post-launch, enabling engagement from concealed positions. The system's deployment supports PLA modernization efforts, emphasizing networked warfare and integration with drones for . The PLA Marine Corps, part of the PLA Navy, has also adopted HJ-10 variants for amphibious assault roles, mounting them on tracked vehicles like the ZTD-05 for ship-to-shore operations and island-hopping scenarios in contested littoral environments. Recent sea trials in 2025 demonstrated these platforms launching HJ-10 missiles from waterborne positions, highlighting their role in enhancing expeditionary anti-armor capabilities amid tensions in the . PLA operators undergo specialized training at facilities such as those under the Army Engineering University, focusing on rapid deployment, electronic countermeasures resistance, and tandem warhead penetration against reactive armor.

Export and Potential Users

The HJ-10 anti-tank guided missile, developed by , has not achieved confirmed exports as of 2025, owing to the classified nature of its fiber-optic guided, non-line-of-sight capabilities and advanced tandem warhead, which China reserves primarily for (PLA) use. An export-oriented variant, designated AFT-10, features similar specifications including a 10 km range and 170 mm caliber but is marketed with adaptations for international compatibility, such as integration on lighter vehicles or helicopters. This version has been displayed at defense exhibitions to attract buyers seeking alternatives to Western systems like the Spike NLOS, emphasizing its potential in some configurations. Promotional efforts have targeted Middle Eastern nations, with receiving specific offers for HJ-10A systems mounted on VN-1 armored personnel carriers as early as March 2018, amid Baghdad's diversification from U.S. suppliers post-ISIS campaigns. These packages included vehicle-integrated launchers capable of engaging armored targets at extended ranges, aligning with 's needs for mobile anti-tank defenses. No deliveries have been verified, potentially due to political sensitivities, U.S. influence on Iraqi procurement, and competition from Russian or established Western ATGMs. Potential users include cash-strapped militaries in and prioritizing affordable, long-range ATGMs over pricier options like the U.S. or European MMP, where Chinese systems offer lower unit costs (estimated under $100,000 per missile) and reduced dependency on logistics. Interest may stem from nations like or , which have adopted other products, though Beijing's export controls—driven by technology transfer risks and geopolitical alignment—limit proliferation. Broader market analyses project growth in Chinese ATGM sales, but HJ-10/AFT-10 adoption remains speculative without disclosed contracts.

Assessment and Effectiveness

Claimed Capabilities and Testing Data

The HJ-10 (Hongjian-10), also known as Red Arrow-10, is a (ATGM) employing an imaging infrared seeker for autonomous target tracking after launch, enabling top-attack profiles against armored vehicles where protection is typically weakest. It supports pre-launch lock-on or post-launch designation via a portable fire control unit, with claimed capabilities to engage tanks, armored personnel carriers, fortifications, and low-flying helicopters at ranges up to 10 kilometers. The missile's tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead is reported to penetrate 1,400 mm of rolled homogeneous steel armor, including behind explosive reactive armor (ERA), with a launch weight of 43 kg, length of 1.85 meters, and diameter of 165 mm. Propulsion combines a solid rocket booster for initial acceleration and a micro turbojet for sustained flight, achieving cruise speeds of 150 m/s and terminal attack speeds up to 230 m/s. These specifications, analogous to Israel's Spike-ER system, position the HJ-10 as a beyond-line-of-sight weapon exceeding the effective engagement range of most main battle tank cannons. Testing demonstrations, primarily conducted by Norinco and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), have included live-fire strikes against Type 59 tanks, showcasing direct hits and penetration from elevated angles. In 2020, PLA trials in the Himalayas integrated HJ-10 launchers on wheeled vehicles, verifying high-altitude performance against simulated armored threats. Recent 2025 exercises featured amphibious variants on ZTD-05 chassis, with successful launches of up to 12 missiles per platform during beach assault simulations, emphasizing top-attack efficacy against hardened defenses. These tests, reported via Chinese state-affiliated media and defense outlets, highlight operational readiness but lack independent third-party verification of penetration claims against modern Western armor equivalents like the M1A2 Abrams.

Comparisons to Foreign Equivalents

The , with its imaging infrared guidance and top-attack capability, is most closely analogous to third-generation systems like the American , though the HJ-10's heavier tripod- or vehicle-mounted configuration prioritizes extended range over infantry portability. Unlike the man-portable , which emphasizes rapid deployment by small teams against close-range threats, the HJ-10 supports medium-range engagements up to 10 km, enabling standoff operations from concealed positions. Both employ warheads designed to defeat explosive reactive armor, but independent assessments question the HJ-10's claimed 1,400 mm penetration depth against modern composites, as Chinese manufacturer data lacks combat validation comparable to the Javelin's proven performance in conflicts like . In contrast to semi-active beam-riding systems like the Russian , the HJ-10's autonomous seeker reduces operator exposure by eliminating the need for continuous line-of-sight tracking post-launch, a exposed in Kornet operations requiring sustained beam guidance over 5.5–8 km. The Kornet's lighter portable setup (26 kg missile) suits dismounted infantry, while the HJ-10's 43 kg missile and integrated fire control unit favor integration on light vehicles like the ZBD-04A for platoon-level fires. Penetration claims for both hover around 1,200–1,400 mm behind , but the Kornet benefits from export combat data in , whereas HJ-10 evaluations rely primarily on PLA tests with limited transparency. The HJ-10 also parallels the American in its wire-guided semi-automatic command to line-of-sight heritage for older variants, but surpasses the TOW's typical 3.75 km range and manual tracking demands with autonomy, potentially improving hit probabilities in dynamic battlefields cluttered by electronic warfare. However, the TOW's wire guidance resists jamming better than infrared seekers, and its modular upgrades have accumulated decades of interoperability data absent in the HJ-10. A comparative overview of key parameters highlights these trade-offs:
MissileGuidance TypeMax Range (km)Warhead Penetration (mm RHA vs. ERA)Missile Weight (kg)Primary Platform
HJ-10 (China) IIR101,40043Tripod/Vehicle
FGM-148 Javelin (USA) IIR2.5~80011.8Man-portable
9M133 Kornet (Russia)Laser beam-riding5.5–81,20026Tripod/Vehicle
BGM-71 TOW (USA)Wire SACLOS3.75~90025Tripod/Vehicle
Overall, the HJ-10 offers tactical advantages in range and reduced exposure for PLA mechanized units, but its effectiveness remains unproven in peer conflicts, contrasting with the battle-tested reliability of and TOW systems amid concerns over Chinese supply chain quality and seeker maturity.

Criticisms and Limitations

The HJ-10's fiber-optic , while resistant to electronic jamming, imposes limitations on operational flexibility due to the physical constraints of cable payout over its maximum range of 10 kilometers, potentially leading to failures in complex terrain where the fiber could snag or break during uncoiling. Additionally, the system's reported flight time of approximately 50 seconds to maximum range allows mobile targets, such as tanks, sufficient opportunity to evade or employ countermeasures like smoke screens or active protection systems. A notable drawback is the minimum engagement range of around 3 kilometers for certain variants, rendering the HJ-10 ineffective against closer-range threats and exposing launch platforms to in dynamic scenarios where enemies approach within that distance. In comparisons to foreign systems like the Israeli Spike NLOS, the HJ-10's range falls short at 10 kilometers versus over 25 kilometers, limiting its utility in non-line-of-sight engagements over extended distances. Critics highlight the absence of verified combat performance data, as the HJ-10 has not been employed in real-world conflicts, unlike equivalents such as the , which have demonstrated reliability in operations like those in ; claims of 1,400 mm armor penetration and tandem warhead efficacy derive primarily from tests without independent validation. Furthermore, its design as a primarily vehicle-mounted restricts portability, necessitating dedicated platforms like the ZBD-05, which reduces adaptability compared to lighter, manpack alternatives.

References

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