HJ-8

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes


name=HJ-8 / Baktar-Shikan
caption=Baktar-Shikan ATGM, a licenced copy of HJ-8
type=Anti-tank missle
origin=People's Republic of China/Pakistan
era=modern
launch_platform=tripod or aircraft
target= Vehicle
designer= Wang Xingzhi (王兴治) at Research Institute 203; missile by Zhao Jiazheng (赵家铮)
manufacturer=NORINCO (including at Factory 282 (Jiangnan Machine Factory--江南机器厂) and Factory 5618 (Hunan South China Photoelectricity Instrument Plant--湖南华南光电仪器厂).
design_date=
production_date=
service=
used_by= Albania, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia
variants=
number=
spec_type=
diameter=155mm
wingspan=
length=1,566mm
weight=25kg
speed=220m/s
vehicle_range=100m-4000m
engine=solid-fuel rocket
steering=
ceiling=
fill

detonation=
guidance= SACLOS

The HJ-8 or Hongjian-8 (红箭-8 "Red Arrow") is a second generation tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided anti-tank missile system deployed by the People's Liberation Army since the late 1980s. Pakistan produces this missile under licence as Baktar Shikan.

HJ-8

The HJ-8 is the Chinese equivalent of the US TOW missile, and like its US counterpart, it is tube-launched, optically tracked, and wire-guided. Possessing a long range and powerful explosive punch, it can penetrate armor of up to 1000mm thick. The newest version of the missile, HJ-8E, entered service in mid-1990 and is believed to outperform some Western missiles of the same category such as the Franco-German MILAN.

The missile weighs 24.5 kg and can fire up to 4,000 m. It can penetrate 800mm armor easily at great ranges. It can penetrate 1,000-1,200 mm of armor when equipped with more advanced tandem warheads.

Very similar to the US TOW missile in performance, the HJ-8E is both dependable and accurate, capable of hitting targets of up to four kilometers away. It is now the standard anti-tank armament of the WZ-10, Mi-17, and Gazelle helicopter gunships of the PLA.

Baktar-Shikan

Baktar Shikan is the version of HJ-8 that is manufactured under license by Pakistan [Sinodefence [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/hj8.asp] ] . The missile system can be quickly disassembled into four sub-units, each weighing less than 25 kg, making the system man-portable. Baktar Shikan can also be mounted on Pakistan's Cobra attack helicopters and APCs. At a distance of 3 km, Baktar Shikan ATGM can destroy all currently known tank targets with 90% hit and penetration probability [Institute of Industrial Control Systems [http://www.depo.org.pk/index.php?id=5&pid=200&a=org_prod_listings&product=Optronics,%20Surveillance%20and%20Sighting%20Systems] ] . With its long range, penetration power and a powerful anti-jamming capability, Baktar Shikan forms a potent defence against armoured targets.

Recently Bangladesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have purchased Baktar Shikan missiles.

Operational Use

Baktar Shikan was extensively used by Bosnian forces against Serbian tanks during 1995 and 1996. They proved particularly effective against the Serbian M-84 tanks, and were able to defeat their armour. [Sinodefence [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/hj8.asp] ]

pecifications

Length: 1,566mm
Diameter: 155mm
Weight: 25kg
Min. Range: 100m
Max. Range: 4,000m
Guidance: SACLOS
Hit Probability: 90%
Speed: 220m/s
Propulsion: Solid

Users

*flag|Albania
*flag|Bangladesh
*flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia
*flag|People's Republic of China
*flag|Pakistan
*flag|Sri Lanka
*flag|Malaysia
*flag|Vietnam

See also

* HJ-9
* BGM-71 TOW

References

External links

* [http://www.depo.org.pk/index.php?id=5&pid=200&a=org_prod_listings&product=Optronics,%20Surveillance%20and%20Sighting%20Systems Institute of Industrial Control Systems]
* [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/hj8.asp HJ-8 at Sinodefence.com]
* [http://www.pakistanidefence.com/PakArmy/ArmyInventory.html Inventory of Pakistani weapons] at [http://www.pakistanidefence.com/ pakistanidefence.com]
* [http://www.bdmilitary.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=144251 Baktar-Shikan Pictures & Information at Bangladesh Military Forces]
* [http://www.defence.pk/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/612 Baktar-Shikan Pictures at Pakistan Defence]