HJ‑12 Anti-Tank Guided Missile System

Reading Time: 3 minutes The HJ‑12 (Red Arrow‑12) is a third-generation, man-portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) developed by NORINCO, China. It is a fire-and-forget system designed to engage and defeat modern main battle tanks (MBTs), light armoured vehicles, bunkers, fortifications, and low-flying rotary-wing aircraft. The HJ‑12 represents a significant evolution in infantry anti-armour capability, providing extended range, top-attack capability, and reduced operator exposure. Role and Employment Primary role: Battalion-level man-portable anti-tank weapon system for infantry units. Secondary role: Engagement of light armoured vehicles, bunkers, command posts, and helicopters in low-altitude flight. Deployment: Shoulder-launched or vehicle-mounted from light tactical vehicles or reconnaissance platforms. Operational doctrine: Enables shoot-and-scoot tactics, rapid repositioning, and distributed anti-armour coverage within battalion formations. System Characteristics FeatureSpecificationNameHJ‑12 / Red Arrow‑12ManufacturerNORINCO, ChinaTypeThird-generation man-portable ATGMCrew1–2 (gunner + optional assistant)System weight26–30 kg (missile + launcher)Missile length≈1.8 mMissile diameter152 mmEffective range200 m – 4 kmGuidanceImaging Infrared (IIR) seeker; fire-and-forgetAttack modeTop-attack / direct-attackWarheadTandem