China Unveils World's Smallest Anti-Armor Missile QN-202 at World Defense Show 2024.

The Chinese defense industry introduces at the World Defense Show 2024 in Saudi Arabia, the QN-202, the world's smallest anti-armor missile. It represents a notable advancement in military hardware, bringing together unparalleled cost-effectiveness, stealth capabilities, combat efficiency, and adaptability. This system is not only affordable but also boasts high hit accuracy, lethal damage, and easy maintenance, allowing a single soldier to carry six rounds during combat, thus emphasizing its practicality in operational contexts.
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Launcher weapon system and missile of the new Chinese-made QN-202. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

The QN-202's design is strategically focused on concealment and intelligence. It utilizes a low-lux TV imaging homing guidance system that does not tip off the enemy before a strike. This, combined with the ability for rapid redeployment post-firing, greatly enhances the survivability of combat personnel by reducing their vulnerability.

In terms of combat efficiency, the missile's small size and light weight allow for carrying multiple rounds, ensuring quick preparation and robust continuous operation capabilities. This means forces can sustain high levels of operational activity with reduced logistical strain.

The versatility of the QN-202 is further highlighted by its platform adaptability, with the command and launch unit system being compatible with various platforms, such as rotary UAVs and unmanned vehicles, enhancing its battlefield utility across diverse combat scenarios.

Close view of the QN-202 anti-armor missile. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

The QN-202 is designed to engage light armored military vehicles, including military transportation and scout vehicles, as well as infantry fighting vehicles (with a velocity of around 61km/hr and dimensions of 4.6mx2.3mx2.3m). It can penetrate up to 80mm of rolled homogeneous armor, making it formidable against a wide range of target types.

Preparation time is impressively quick, requiring only 15 seconds to transition from marching to ready-to-fire status. The missile itself is compact, with a diameter of 40mm and a length of 650mm, and it weighs merely 1.5kg. The command and launch unit, inclusive of the missile, weighs 3.5kg, ensuring that it remains lightweight and easily portable.

Effective engagement ranges from a minimum of 200 m to a maximum of around 2,000 m, providing a broad operational scope. Notably, the missile has an average hit probability of 80% against both static and moving targets within this range, even for targets moving at speeds of around 61km/hr. This high hit probability underscores the QN-202's precision and reliability in combat situations.

The QN-202 missile system's introduction reflects a significant leap forward in military technology, marrying affordability with high performance, stealth, and adaptability to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare.

Defense News February 2024