Written by Clotilde Szabo
On 30 April 2022 was held the “Shield 2022” demonstration of the Serbian Army’s capabilities, where their new military acquisition, the FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system from China, was presented. This FK-3 surface to air missile system is the export version of the HQ-22 surface to air missile system developed by Jiangnan Space Industry of China. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said that this equipment would modernise their military capacity and represents a powerful deterrent against potential threats.
The HQ-22 is a medium-range anti-aircraft missile system with a range of 170 km, which can target altitudes from 50 meters to 27 km and can engage UAVs, aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles and helicopters.HQ-22 missile consists of a radar vehicle and three launch vehicles equipped with four missiles each. Each battery can engage six air targets simultaneously. It is guided by semi-active radar guidance with a secondary command guidance capability.
This missile has been used since 2017 by the Chinese People’Liberation Army (PLAAF) to accelerate the reequipment of their air units. It is now one of China’s most used air-defence missiles, which has replaced the HQ-2 systems. The FK-3 is the exported version of HQ-22, developed in 2014 and it is considered a downgraded version. Both are similar in their use and retained their top speed version to Mach 6, but the FK-3 missile range is limited to 150 km. This missile has been compared to the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems and the American Patriot. China and Russia are the leading providers of Serbia’s weapons, and the country represents the first operator in Europe of the Chinese missiles. In June 2020, Serbia received CH-92A drones, which constitute the first export of military aviation equipment from China in Europe. The FK-3 contract was signed in 2019 as part of the annual cooperation plan between Serbia and China. FK-3 has been delivered through April 2022 by PLAAF Y-20 transport aircraft using an air bridge, which is the largest airlift of Chinese arms to Europe.
Bibliography
Dusan Stojanovic, AP, “Serbia shows off new Chinese anti-aircraft missile system”, Defense News, May 6 2022, [online]. Available at:
Mike Yeo, “China delivers anti-aircraft missiles to Serbia”, Defense News, April 11 2022, [online]. Available at: https://www.defensenews.com/land/2022/04/11/china-delivers-anti-aircraft-missiles-to-serbia/
Defense Brief Editorial, “Chinese airlifters deliver FK-3 air defense system to Serbia”, Defense Brief, April 10, 2022, [online]. Available at: https://defbrief.com/2022/04/10/chinese-airlifters-deliver-fk-3-air-defense-system-to-serbia/
