Richard D. Fisher of International Assessment and Strategy Center wrote in the IASC website that RIF-M surface-to-air missile system on the Chinese Type 051C destroyers are not capable of anti-missile missions, requiring software and hardware upgrades to do that. His sources are Russians he supposedly met at Euronaval last October. According to Russian sources, discussions are underway with China regarding the sale of more capable versions of the RIF-M.
BTW what kind of anti-missile missions is he talking about? Does this mean the Type 051C cannot shoot down Harpoon-type anti-ship missiles? The RIF-M, whether downgraded or not, is not intended for anti-ballistic missile use AFAIK.
Cheers,
Sunho
By: SOC - 4th December 2006 at 03:07
RIF-M uses the 48N6 missile (48N6E in this case). Perhaps they mean that China will be offered the RIF-M with the 48N6D (48N6E2) missile? It does have longer range and a different warhead.
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December 4, 2006 at 12:47 am