Click to see full-size image. (Sudanese Armed Forces)
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on February 12 released video footage of one of the drone strikes that targeted air defenses, combat drones and other targets of the Rapid Support Force (RSF) earlier in the week.
The footage shows a Chinese-made FK-2000 self-propelled, short to medium-range system somewhere near the town of Ed Dubeibat in the state of South Kordofan. This was the first known time the SAF managed to hit a system of this type. The United Arab Emirates reportedly supplied at least two FK-2000s to the paramilitary force after purchasing them from China.
The FK-2000, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), is mounted on an 8×8 transporter chassis. It is reported to be capable of engaging aerial targets with its missiles at a range up to 25 kilometers.
The system can be loaded with up to 16 missiles at once, eight on each side of its turret. The missiles are believed to be guided via command. In addition to the missiles, the air defense system is armed with two 30 mm six-barrel Gatling cannon, also with adjustable elevation.
The SAF, which is allied to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, has been engaged in a power struggle with the RSF, backed by the UAE, for close to three years now.
The strike on the FK-2000 was reportedly carried out by a Bayraktar Akıncı combat drone, made by Turkish drone giant Baykar. Seven drones of this type, each costing around $30 million, were shot down by RSF air defenses over the past year. These aerial kills granted the FK-2000 the nickname the “Akıncı killer”.
The newly-released footage revealed, however, why during the latest strikes the Akıncı was successful against the FK-2000.
The air defense system was apparently targeted with a new long-range version of the MAM-L munition that was unveiled by Turkey’s Roketsan just two years ago.
Unlike the original version, which is guided by semi-active laser, the new MAM-L TV/IIR is optically guided. The munition, as its names suggest, can be equipped either with a TV or an imaging infrared seeker, along with a radio frequency data-link for man-in-the-loop guidance. The TV version was clearly used in the strike on the FK-2000.
While the laser-guided version of the MAM-L has a maximum range of 15 kilometers, the range of the new optical-guided one is reported to be over 40 kilometers. This apparently allowed the SAF Akıncı to attack the RSF FK-2000 from well out of its engagement range.
It is important to note, however, that the FK-2000 appeared to be already damaged in the footage, which were clearly taken from the MAM-L seeker feed.
These new long-range munitions will likely cause some serious problems for the RSF. The group will either need more air defense systems, with an even longer range. If no such systems are secured, SAF drones, within a few months, will be dominating the airspace over Sudan, and cutting all the supply routes of the RSF.
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belt and road initiative gets attacked again.
they want africa it’s the new world treasure chest .china’s invested billions there , russia too but it’s english roots are ingrained where lots of places still sing a song of six pence a pocket full of rye,4 and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie .
they want africa it’s the new world treasure chest .china’s invested billions there , russia too but it’s english roots are ingrained where lots of places still sing a song of six pence a pocket full of rye,4 and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie .