HJ-12 test.
Chinese ATGM discussion
- Thread starter Broccoli
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Note that HJ-12 is observed in 3 Brigades of different types across 3 theatre commands. The expected level of deployment is in battalions
Wouldn't the new tripod/Mengshi mounted ATGM make more sense at the battalion level? (HJ-16)
Given HJ-10 is brigade level.
HJ-12 would in turn make more sense at company level.
According to this official report,
HJ-12 is assigned to battalion level, at least for now.
Although I have to admit having HJ-16 at battalion level does make more sense. I'll look into the reasons behind that.
Probably the HJ-16 has yet to be inducted, and HJ-12 is starting to enter its way at battalion level?
Nevertheless, HJ-12 is still a relatively addition to the PLA as an operational capability, only within the last year or so.
I just noticed something. Here is my theory:
In some sources, HJ-16 is also referred to as the “车通弹”, "Universal Vehicle-borne Missile" and aims to replace all HJ-73s on IFVs.
So actually, HJ-16 will be operated at levels as low as platoons....
I just noticed something. Here is my theory:
In some sources, HJ-16 is also referred to as the “车通弹”, "Universal Vehicle-borne Missile" and aims to replace all HJ-73s on IFVs.
So actually, HJ-16 will be operated at levels as low as platoons....
That would be quite surprising, given how much more capable HJ-16 is described to be, even compared to HJ-12 let alone HJ-73.
As far as I know, HJ-16 has only been seen carried so far on the Mengshi vehicle, and on tripod semi-man portable forms.
A universal vehicle borne ATGM certainly would be neat, but fitting HJ-16 to all current IFVs seems like quite an undertaking.
Not to mention, the greater reach, greater size and overall sophistication of HJ-16 would tend to make one assume they'd sit at a higher echelon than HJ-12.
I suppose time will tell.
Maybe he meant for the next generation of IFV to have the HJ-16s. Btw, is there an image of this HJ-16 and do we know roughly it's capabilities?
There might have existed ongoing projects for HJ-13 to 15, but did not make it to the finalization stage yet. This is of course assuming that HJ-16 is indeed the official designation, although I don't think it is confirmed yet.