Chinese weapons "sit at home" to destroy 100% of IS terrorist targets

According to National Interest, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense earlier this month released a video of the CH-4B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made in China and praised the aircraft as being on par with the US MQ-1 Predator "killer".

Iraq says CH-4B drones have carried out 260 airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets with a 100% success rate.

The deal to purchase CH-4B drones was promoted by Iraq in 2016, after the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister to the country.

At first glance, the CH-4B model looks quite similar to the US version of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, designed by China Aerospace Long March International.

The CH-4B version China transferred to Iraq can carry 345kg of weapons, including two AR-1/HJ-10 anti-tank missiles and two FT-9 GPS-guided bombs. The aircraft is also equipped with laser-guided missiles, increasing accuracy to absolute levels.

The CH-4B operates at a maximum altitude of 7,000 m, with a maximum speed of up to 210 km/h. The aircraft can operate for up to 14 hours, with a range of 250 km. Iraq ordered three CH-4Bs in early 2015, and photos that appeared in March of that year confirmed this.

Iraq purchased CH-4B drones from China.

The US MQ-1 Predator is only slightly superior in its ability to carry 500kg of bombs and ammunition, a range of 1,100km and 24-hour continuous operation.

Since then, the drone has conducted numerous reconnaissance missions over al-Kut, Iraq. On October 10, 2015, a CH-4B with serial number YI-801 took off on an airstrike mission in the presence of Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi.

The aircraft was carrying two HJ-10 missiles and fired at a ground target southeast of the capital Baghdad.

During this mission, the UAV operated only within the effective range of radio waves without using satellite signals. A Chinese soldier was present in the control room during the mission, showing that Iraq is still not able to control this type of drone on its own.

Two months later, a CH-4B participated in a bombing raid on the Iraqi city of Ramadi. The strike destroyed an artillery piece that ISIS terrorists had hidden in an abandoned factory. The gun had been used to attack Iraqi troops, who were gathering at a bridge northwest of the city.

Since then, Iraq has been using the CH-4B continuously for counter-terrorism missions. Over the course of more than a month, the CH-4B has destroyed several IS combat vehicles, a bomb-making facility and ammunition depots.

The CH-4B looks quite similar to the US MQ-1 Predator model.

On March 1, 2016, Iraq began a campaign to liberate the city of Samarra. The CH-4B neutralized a series of suicide car bombs that IS had placed there, significantly reducing casualties on the ground.

Two months later, a CH-4B squadron monitored IS terrorist activity in Fallujah. The UAV used an HJ-10 missile to attack a vehicle carrying homemade explosives.

The successes in Iraq helped China promote the CH-4B model throughout the region. This combat UAV model was ordered by Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Saudi Arabia used the CH-4B for missions against rebels in Yemen.

In September 2016, a CH-4B was shot down by Houthi rebels in Yemen. This is considered the first loss of a Chinese UAV in combat abroad.

In 2017, Saudi Arabia announced a $65 billion deal in various fields, including allowing China to manufacture drones in the country.

It is clear that Saudi Arabia is quite pleased with the CH-4B’s performance in Yemen. The cost of producing one armed UAV is only about $4 million, cheaper than the $20 million for the US MQ-1 Predator package with a ground control center.

National Interest concludes that the CH-4B is a military weapon that spreads terror to IS terrorists in Iraq.