The Hongjian-12 () is a third generation, man-portable,

fire-and-forget Fire-and-forget is a type of missile guidance which does not require further external intervention 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 targe ...

infrared homing Infrared homing is a passive weapon guidance system which uses the infrared (IR) light emission from a target to track and follow it seamlessly. Missiles which use infrared seeking are often referred to as "heat-seekers" since infrared is radi ...

anti-tank missile An anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), anti-tank missile, anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) or anti-armor guided weapon is a Missile guidance, guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy Armoured fighting vehicle, heavily armored military v ...

of China. It was unveiled at the Eurosatory 2014 exhibition.

History

The missile was first showcased on the Eurosatory 2014 exhibition. Subsequent modifications and improvements were showcased in the following exhibitions. At

Airshow China China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (), also known as the Airshow China () or Zhuhai Airshow (), is the largest airshow and aerospace trade expo in China. It has been held in even years in Zhuhai, Guangdong since 1996. Histo ...

2016, China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) unveiled HJ-12E, the export variant with new control fins and rocket motors. On 25 March 2020, Norinco announced its first successful export order to an unknown country. In July 2021, the HJ-12 was incorporated into People's Liberation Army Ground Force service. The PLA service version is likely based on the latest HJ-12E variant.

Design

The HJ-12 is a modern, third generation anti-tank missile developed by Norinco. The HJ-12 is a

system utilising lock-on before launch (LOBL) and is capable of being fired within buildings and bunkers due to its soft launch system. Once launched, it will home autonomously onto its target, allowing the operator to immediately take cover or reload to engage another target. Its fire-and-forget technology will reduce the number of anti-tank operators needed on a battlefield. The missile is capable of day/night all-weather operation with its

, TV imaging dual-mode seeker. The warhead uses a tandem shaped charge design with an estimated penetration capability of up to of

rolled homogeneous armour Rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) is a type of vehicle armour made of a single steel composition hot-rolled to improve its material characteristics, as opposed to layered or cemented armour. Its first common application was in tanks. After World ...

(RHA) after penetrating explosive reactive armour. The guided missile is capable of engaging armoured vehicles, fortifications, helicopters and boats. When facing non-armoured point targets, bunkers and fortifications, the missile can be fitted with either high-explosive or thermal effect warheads. When engaging enemy tanks and armoured vehicles, the HJ-12 aims to destroy the top of its targets, the more vulnerable point. The HJ-12 is China's first portable anti-tank missile, increasing the ability of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force to have more modern and mobile infantry forces. It is intended to enable China to match up with anti-tank missile developments made by Western defence companies, like the

FGM-148 Javelin The FGM-148 Javelin, or Advanced Anti-Tank Weapon System-Medium (AAWS-M), is an American-made portable anti-tank missile system in service since 1996, and continuously upgraded. It replaced the M47 Dragon anti-tank missile in US service. Its fire- ...

and

Spike Spike, spikes, or spiking may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Books * ''The Spike'' (novel), a novel by Arnaud de Borchgrave * ''The Spike'' (book), a nonfiction book by Damien Broderick * ''The Spike'', a starship in Peter F. Hamilto ...

. The missile is also available for export to armies in developing countries that would need to contend with third-generation

main battle tank A main battle tank (MBT), also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the role of armor-protected direct fire and maneuver in many modern armies. Cold War-era development of more powerful engines, better suspension sys ...

s, but the number of potential buyers is likely small due to its higher cost.

Variants

;HJ-12 :Base variant, first unveiled in

2014. ;HJ-12E :Export designation for HJ-12

Users

* ** People's Liberation Army Ground Force * ** Algerian People's National Army * **

PT Pindad PT Pindad (Persero) ( id, Perindustrian Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Darat, ), is an Indonesian state-owned enterprise specialising in military and commercial products. Pindad provides the armaments and munitions for the Indonesian N ...

and

Norinco China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, doing business internationally as Norinco Group (North Industries Corporation), and known within China as China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited (), is a Chinese state-owned defense ...

signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the Development of Anti-tank Guided Missile Technology on November 7, 2022 * ** Nigerian Armed Forces

References

External links