Are these new man portable anti-aircraft missles a game changer ? | World Defense

Are these new man portable anti-aircraft missles a game changer ?

orangesunset

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China is manufacturing man portable anti-aircraft missles like the FN-6. These systems can be operated by a single man, and they have a 10% chance of knocking down a fighter aircraft. From what I understand China is exporting these things at $50,000 a pop and they are pretty simple to operate. So the cost of taking down an aircraft is pretty cheap.

If the FN-6 is being exported, China must have something better in house. 100,000 Chinese outfitted with these missles would equalize US air superiority.

What do you guys think.

Extract from wikipedia

FN-6 (FN = FeiNu, 飞弩, meaning Flying Crossbow), is a third generation passive infrared (IR) man portable air defence system (MANPADS). It was developed by China, and is their most advanced surface-to-air missile offered in the international market. Specially designed to engage low flying targets, it has a range of 6 km and a maximum altitude of 3.8 km. The FN-6 is in service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and has also been exported to Malaysia, Cambodia, Sudan and Peru. Based on FN-6, China has developed a number of other MANPADS, such as HN and FY series, as well as other vehicle-based short-range air defense systems such as FN and FB series.

FN-6 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 

Falcon29

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Against competent Air Force they aren't. For example, where I come from in Gaza. They used manpads throughout the assault. They are not effective against military jets. What they can do is alter raids of Israeli air force in some cases. But Israel raises altitude to counter this. However, helicopter support such as Apache helicopters. Yes manpad is effective. It may not shoot it down but it will force retreat.

This is what happened in Israel's ground invasion. Their troops invaded eastern Gaza and Apache tried entering but was forced to retreat behind border to fire from far distance.

This complicates efforts for ground invasion if they attempted to go deep. Most support would be indiscriminate limited artillery from available tanks. And naval shelling wouldn't work deep in city. Unless they want to cause massive civilian casualties. When they are on border areas during ground offensive artillery can provide support from inside enemy territory.

So helicopter fire is substitute for this artillery when invading deep. And manpads work to complicate ground offensive efforts.

This is for well trained and prepared organizations like Hezbollah or Hamas who have battle plans. For organizations like ISIS, manpads don't serve that purpose. Manpads can't do anything for them currently.
 

Falcon29

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In asymmetric warfare it is used to support your operational capabilities and has little to do with shooting down enemy jets. For example when you need to move ground forces in small numbers or conduct mortar fire against enemy forces it can help provide temporary shielding.
 
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