HJ-12

China's man-portable fire-and-forget top-attack anti-tank guided missile — a Javelin-class system with imaging-infrared guidance, soft launch, and a tandem HEAT warhead, fielded by the PLA Ground Force.

Overview

The HJ-12 (Hongjian-12, often referred to as the Red Arrow 12) is China's first domestically developed man-portable, fire-and-forget, top-attack anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). Produced by NORINCO, it enters service as a direct analogue to the US FGM-148 Javelin, bringing imaging-infrared (IIR) guidance and a soft-launch capability to the PLA's dismounted infantry. While it shares the Javelin's core engagement philosophy — lock-on-before-launch, fire-and-forget, top-attack — its combat record remains blank, and all performance data rests on manufacturer claims and open-source estimates, as catalogued by Army Recognition and contextualised against the CSIS Missile Threat Javelin profile.

Development

NORINCO first publicly displayed the HJ-12 at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow, marking the system's emergence from development, according to Army Recognition. Open-source reporting points to a PLA service entry around 2018, though no official announcement has confirmed that date. Since the unveiling, NORINCO has shown export-oriented variants (HJ-12E / GAM-102), but detailed test-campaign information is not publicly established.

Design & capabilities

The HJ-12 is a shoulder- or tripod-launched missile that uses a soft-launch ejection motor to clear the operator before its solid-rocket flight motor ignites, enabling firing from enclosed spaces. The baseline missile carries an imaging-infrared seeker for fire-and-forget, top-attack engagement. A daytime TV-guided variant is also offered, which extends the maximum range. According to Army Recognition, the IIR version has an estimated range of approximately 2,000 metres, while the TV-guided version reaches around 4,000 metres. The missile employs a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead that open-source estimates rate at roughly 1,100 mm of rolled homogeneous armour penetration after explosive reactive armour, as reported by the same source. The system weighs about 22 kg in its ready-to-fire round (missile approximately 17 kg), with a length of roughly 1,050 mm and a diameter of 127 mm. Speed is not publicly established, and accuracy is measured in direct-hit probability rather than circular error probable.

Variants

• HJ-12 — Baseline PLA man-portable variant with imaging-infrared fire-and-forget seeker.
• HJ-12E / GAM-102 — Export-designated versions, believed to retain the core HJ-12 capabilities; a reported (unverified) delivery to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has circulated.

Combat record / operational use

No PLA combat employment of the HJ-12 has been confirmed. The sole operational-transfer reporting is an unverified export of the HJ-12E to the IRGC, noted by Army Recognition. Thus the system remains entirely unproven in real-world combat.

Advantages

• Fire-and-forget IIR guidance allows the operator to take cover immediately after launch, a compelling tactical advantage highlighted alongside comparable top-tier ATGMs by 247WallSt.
• Top-attack trajectory exploits the thinner roof armour of main battle tanks.
• Soft-launch ejection enables firing from enclosed positions without significant back-blast hazard.
• Dual-mode seeker option (IIR or TV) provides flexibility for day/night and adverse-weather engagements.
• Man-portable round weight (~22 kg) is viable for dismounted infantry.

Drawbacks / limitations

• Entirely combat-untested; all published performance figures rest on manufacturer or estimated data.
• Imaging-infrared seekers can be degraded by heavy rain, fog, or battlefield obscurants.
• Effective range (~2 km for IIR) is shorter than heavy SACLOS ATGMs such as the Kornet (5.5–8 km), potentially exposing operators to vehicle-mounted return fire.
• No evidence of a networked command launch unit or data link comparable to the Javelin’s CLU connectivity.

Counterparts

• Javelin (USA)
• Kornet (Russia)

Outlook

The HJ-12 fills the PLA’s long-standing gap for a modern, man-portable fire-and-forget ATGM, gradually replacing older wire- and laser-guided systems in front-line units. Its future significance depends entirely on whether the missile proves reliable in sustained combat — something no open source has yet recorded. NORINCO’s continued export marketing and the potential appearance of the HJ-12E in proxy theatres may provide the first real evaluation.

Key specifications

Sources

1. Army Recognition — HJ-12 Red Arrow 12 anti-tank multirole fire-and-forget missile technical data sheet. https://www.armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/anti-tank-systems-and-vehicles/anti-tank-guided-missiles/hj-12-red-arrow-12-anti-tank-multirole-fire-and-forget-missile-technical-data-sheet-video-pictures-11111153
2. 247WallSt — “The Most Powerful Anti-Tank Weapons Still in Use Today.” https://247wallst.com/military/2025/12/02/the-most-powerful-anti-tank-weapons-still-in-use-today/
3. CSIS Missile Threat — FGM-148 Javelin profile. https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/fgm-148-javelin/