China gives rivals glimpse of its latest tactical weaponry at Zhuhai air show
- PLA’s 609 intelligence radar and CM-401 anti-ship missile are put on display for the first time
- Both indicate China’s readiness to deter threats in the East and South China Seas, experts say
China has unveiled two of its latest sophisticated tactical weapon systems at the country’s biggest air show, in a move a military experts said was aimed at deterring rivalries in the East and South China Seas.
The exported versions of the 609 intelligence radar and CM-401 anti-ship missile, which are serving in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in border and coast defence, are on display for the first time at this week’s Airshow China in Zhuhai, in the southern province of Guangdong.
The 609 intelligence radar is able to detect long-range early warning of stealth aircraft such as the US F-35, tactical ballistic missiles, and targets close to space, according to its developer, the 14th Institute of the China Electronic Technology Group Corporation (CETC).
Hong Kong-based military expert Song Zhongping said that the 609 radar was an important part of China’s comprehensive anti-stealth and anti-ballistic missile systems, which could be integrated into the PLA’s air and sea combat systems to form a powerful air-to-air and air-to-sea defence network.
“The CM-401 system is actually an anti-ship ballistic missile modified from a tactical missile defence system,” said Song, a military commentator for Hong Kong’s Phoenix Television.