The Norinco HJ-8 Red Arrow

The Norinco HJ-8 Red Arrow is a second generation tube launched, optically tracked, wire guided missile deployed by the People's Liberation Army of China.  The HJ-8 design is believed to be the result of reverse engineering of the US BGM-71 TOW, the French/German designed MILAN HOT and the UK's Swingfire ATGM.  he HJ-8 is the successor to the HJ-73 first generation ATGM. Development of the HJ-8 was completed in the early 1980's.  The HJ-8 and a series of variants are manufactured by China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO) in China and Kahn Research Laboratories in Pakistan.  The HJ-8 design is believed to be the result of reverse engineering of the US BGM-71 TOW, the French/German designed MILAN HOT and the UK's Swingfire ATGM.  The HJ-8 carries a HEAT anti-tank warhead capable of defeating most first and second generation main battle tanks such as the Centurion, Leopard-1, T62 and M60 tanks.  It is comparable to ATGMs of NATO and Warsaw Pact nations.  The HJ-8 uses a Semi-Automatic Command Line Of Sight guidance system and has a range of 3,000 meters.  The HJ-8 is still in use by the People's Liberation Army of China and has been upgraded with more modern features over the years. Versions of this ATGM system have been manufactured by many other client states such as Sudan, Egypt, and Iran.  Operation and effectiveness of these missiles have been observed in modern conflicts around the world in Bosnia, Syria, and Iraq. Currently, about 20 countries operate the HJ-8 in Latin America, Asia and Africa.