ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army is set to induct the advanced Chinese QN-202 Dartman-portable anti-tank guided missile system following its prominentdisplay during the recently concluded Warrior-IX joint counter-terrorismexercise with People’s Liberation Army Special Operations Forces.
Military sources confirmed to Dawn that the lightweight, fire-and-forgetmissile, weighing under 1.5 kilograms with its launch tube, was test-firedby both Pakistani and Chinese troops during the drills held in Punjabprovince. The successful live demonstration has paved the way for immediatetransfer of the cutting-edge weapon to Pakistan Army’s infantry and specialservices units.
The QN-202, developed by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), isdesigned to defeat modern main battle tanks equipped with explosivereactive armour at ranges exceeding 2,000 metres. Its tandem warhead andtop-attack flight profile make it particularly effective against heavilyprotected armoured vehicles, while its compact size allows a single soldierto carry multiple rounds.
Defence analysts described the induction as a significant enhancement ofPakistan’s close-combat anti-armour capability at platoon and companylevel, especially along the eastern border where Indian Army operates largefleets of T-90S and Arjun tanks. The missile’s portability addresseslong-standing demands from field commanders for a modern replacement toageing Milan and Baktar-Shikan systems.
The development comes amid deepening defence industrial cooperation betweenIslamabad and Beijing under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework.Pakistan has already integrated several Chinese platforms including VT-4tanks, HQ-9 air defence systems and JF-17 fighter aircraft. The QN-202transfer is believed to be part of a broader package that includesco-production rights for certain components within Pakistan’s defenceindustry.
Senior officials speaking on condition of anonymity revealed that initialbatches of the missile system are expected to arrive before mid-2026, withtraining of master trainers already underway at the National University ofSciences and Technology (NUST) under Chinese supervision. The inductiontimeline suggests the weapon could achieve initial operational capabilitywell ahead of schedule.
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The Warrior-IX exercise, which concluded last week, provided both armiesvaluable opportunity to evaluate the missile under realistic tacticalscenarios, further solidifying confidence in the system’s battlefieldperformance.
Source: www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/qn-202.htm”>https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/qn-202.htm
After Warrior-IX Display
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