Click to see the full-size image
During the Qatari National Day parade on December 18, the Qatari Army revealed its newly acquired Chinese-made SY-400 missile systems. The Qatari-Chinese deal was not announced beofre and its unknown when exactly Qatar received the advanced missile system.
Photos from the Qatari National Day parade showed that each of the Qatari SY-400 systems was armed with two BP-12A solid-fueled short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), that have the range of 300-400km, and 480 high explosive warheads. The BP-12A SRBM is guided by an Internal Navigation System (INS) that’s aided by a satellite navigation system.
Click to see the full-size image
The SY-400 can be also armed with up to eight SY-400 missiles, that have the range of 180km. The SY-400 is also guided by INS and a satellite navigation system. The SY-400 can also carry up to twelve PH-03 heavy rockets that have the range of 90km. However, it’s unknown if Qatar bought these rockets too, or only BP-12A SRBMs.
The Qatari decision to purchase and then publicly showcase the SY-400 missile system is a clear message to Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies, that placed a siege and strict sanctions on Qatar on June 5.
