Morocco is getting closer to receiving Chinese long-range air defence systems

[The SC]

Morocco is preparing to receive this year the first long-range air defense system, it is the FD-2000B, coordinated acquisition between Rabat and the official exporting company
China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC).

https://www.opinionmilitar.es/marru...er-sistema-de-defensa-aerea-de-largo-alcance/


Original article:

https://www.defensa.com/africa-asia...to-recibir-primer-sistema-defensa-aerea-largo
https://www.defensa.com/africa-asia...to-recibir-primer-sistema-defensa-aerea-largo

HQ-9B: with extra range and dual seeker

According to the newspaper, Morocco has taken interest in the system since 2012 and has officially signed its purchase in 2016 For 4 batteries (6 launch vehicles in each battery) and delivery will be at the end of this year or during the beginning of 2021 at the latest..

HQ-9B is an improved version with longer range and extra seeker. It was reportedly tested in 2006. It reportedly has a range of up to 250 km and can reach targets at an altitude of 50 km. The missile has a dual seeker with semi-active radar homing and infrared homing modes..

The FD-2000B operates the AESA radar HT-233
High altitudeYLC-2V 3D radar against ballistic missiles
Low-altitude YLC-18 3D radar to deal with cruise missile dangers
As well as the YLC-20 and DWL002 passive radars to increase detection of stealth aircrafts


Patriot Pak3 negotiations

With a coverage of one FD-2000B battery for an area of about 125,000 square kilometers, Morocco should purchase a total of 6 batteries to protect almost its entire airspace. Since the area of Moroccan airspace exceeds 710,850 square kilometers, nearly 9 times the area covered by the FD-2000B battery. This is why Rabat has continued since 2019 to negotiate the purchase of the American Air Defense System Patriot PAC-3, in order to completely Cover its airspace.

Other air defence systems operated by Morocco

Morocco currently operates short and medium-range air defense systems, most of which are Chinese. Thus the air defense consists of the Chinese TY-90 / DY-90 system, the French Crotale-NG, the Russian Tunguska-M1, and the medium-range Sky Dragon-50 system.
Last year, Morocco signed a contract to purchase the French VL-MICA short-range air defense system..


https://www.defensa.com/africa-asia...to-recibir-primer-sistema-defensa-aerea-largo

 

[IblinI]

Which also means HQ-9C or whatever the name of a new generation is either in PLA service or about to.

 

[Philip the Arab]

Which also means HQ-9C or whatever the name of a new generation is either in PLA service or about to.

I think only HQ-9B, but it is still a great system.

 

[IblinI]

I think only HQ-9B, but it is still a great system.

I am assuming PLA received better system before the country gives the green pass for HQ–9B.

 

[Philip the Arab]

I am assuming PLA received better system before the country gives the green pass for HQ–9B.

Downgraded export like Russia or USA does.

 

[zhxy]

Downgraded export like Russia or USA does.

Not quite right
For example, in the case of VT-4

1. China can learn from the way the Russians and Americans export poor quality versions of the weapons they are using. For example, Abrams tanks do not have "depleted uranium ammunition." T-72 tanks lack sophisticated firing control systems. But instead of exporting poor quality Type-99, they decided to create a new tank (VT-4) for export.

2. The Type-99 armor is more protective than VT-4 due to the use of special materials
VT-4 is a tank born later, it inherits many advantages of Type-99. The advantage of VT-4 over Type-99 is in electronics and active protection systems.

 

[Philip the Arab]

Not quite right
For example, in the case of VT-4

1. China can learn from the way the Russians and Americans export poor quality versions of the weapons they are using. For example, Abrams tanks do not have "depleted uranium ammunition." T-72 tanks lack sophisticated firing control systems. But instead of exporting poor quality Type-99, they decided to create a new tank (VT-4) for export.

2. The Type-99 armor is more protective than VT-4 due to the use of special materials
VT-4 is a tank born later, it inherits many advantages of Type-99. The advantage of VT-4 over Type-99 is in electronics and active protection systems.

But in the case of HQ-9B? Isn't it most likely a downgraded export version? It isn't a specialized variant from what I can tell.

 

[LKJ86]

I am assuming PLA received better system before the country gives the green pass for HQ–9B.

You don't need to be assuming...
It is no double that PLA has better ones already.

 

[Philip the Arab]

You don't need to be assuming...
It is no double that PLA has better ones already.

Do you think this is the same variant that PLA uses or it is downgraded slightly?

 

[LKJ86]

But in the case of HQ-9B? Isn't it most likely a downgraded export version? It isn't a specialized variant from what I can tell.

Do you think this is the same variant that PLA uses or it is downgraded slightly?

China tries to export J-10C while has J-20 already.
And then, can J-10C be called a downgraded export version?

 

[Philip the Arab]

China tries to export J-10C while have J-20 already.
And then, can J-10C be called a downgraded export version?

But it is dangerous to allow your systems to fall into the hands of Western countries. China still uses the J-10 as a huge part of its air force.

 

[LKJ86]

But it is dangerous to allow your systems to fall into the hands of Western countries. China still uses the J-10 as a huge part of its air force.

You would lose your customers, if you can't provide competitive products.

 

[Philip the Arab]

You would lose your customers, if you can't provide competitive products.

Fair enough, it should still be a little worse to keep your edge which was the USSRs, and currently Russia's train of thought.

 

[zhxy]

J-10 is the backbone of PLAAF. China should not export J-10C. This is top secret technology.
China is not Russia. They do not need money from arms exports.

 

[LKJ86]

Fair enough, it should still be a little worse to keep your edge which was the USSRs, and currently Russia's train of thought.

China would choose the customers that can be trusted.