By: Zhang Tongin, Beijing
Chinese missiles were used by Pakistan to destroy an Indian air defence system last week in what is believed to be their first combat use
Chinese state media has hailed what is believed to be the first combat use of the country’s hypersonic missiles, after Pakistan claimed they were used to destroy an Indian S-400 air defence system last week.
Describing it as the dawn of a new era in warfare, official news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that Pakistan’s air strike had destroyed India’s Russian-built air defence system in Adampur, in the border state of Punjab. Tensions escalated last week between India and Pakistan after New Delhi launched air strikes on Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Wednesday. India said it was responding to a militant attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir last month – a deadly attack that Islamabad has denied being involved in. Following days of military exchanges, the two neighbours agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday that appears to be holding.
During the fighting, Pakistan carried out a strike that was “executed using hypersonic missiles launched from the JF-17”, a Chinese fighter jet, Xinhua reported, quoting a statement from Pakistan’s military.
“Precision-guided munitions were used to neutralise the advanced air defence asset,” the statement said.
Footage released by Pakistani authorities shows two CM-400AKG missiles being used to carry out the mission. They were made by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, or CASIC.
Details of the technology behind the operation were revealed days later by China Space News, a state-controlled publication co-sponsored by CASIC and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The China Space News report on Tuesday highlighted the speed and manoeuvrability of the missiles, but also what it called a breakthrough in their guidance technology. It said precision guidance was the key to “stand-off strikes” – attacks launched from beyond the reach of enemy defences such as the one that destroyed India’s air defence system.
The Chinese hypersonic missiles use a guidance system that combines technologies such as inertial navigation and satellite positioning that makes them more accurate, gives them a longer range and makes them harder to jam, according to the report. As a result, it said strikes could now target specific high-value threats rather than relying on broad area attacks.
“This breakthrough in precision guidance technology lays the foundation for beyond-visual-range strikes,” the report said.
It also highlighted the use of “man-in-the-loop” technology, where operators can adjust targets in real time as the missile nears impact – useful for hitting moving or suddenly detected targets.
It said faster engines also helped the missiles break through enemy defences quicker, leaving less time for interception.
Source: dw.com/en/pakistan
