Burkina Faso shows tests of likely Chinese Sky Dragon 30 air defense system
Burkina Faso has released a video showing missile launches from a mobile launcher. Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping identified the missiles in the footage as Sky Dragon 30 (SD-30) surface-to-air missiles developed by the Chinese corporation Norinco. The video, distributed by the country’s presidential office, also shows a search radar vehicle, reports South China Morning Post.
The video was included in a documentary series dedicated to the fourth anniversary of Burkina Faso military leader Ibrahim Traore being in power. It was not reported when the tests were conducted. This is the first time the country has publicly demonstrated a short- and medium-range missile system.
System characteristics
Sky Dragon 30 was first presented at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2018. The missile’s stated range is 30 km, and it was developed on the basis of the PL-10 missile used by the People’s Liberation Army of China.
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Chinese magazine Ordnance Industry Science Technology reported that the system combines command correction during the midcourse phase of flight with infrared guidance at the terminal stage. According to the publication, this makes it possible to engage several targets simultaneously and increases resistance to electronic countermeasures. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV noted in 2018 that this launcher can also use Sky Dragon 50 missiles with a range of 50 km.
Chinese supplies
Song Zhongping, a former instructor of the People’s Liberation Army of China, said that states such as Burkina Faso had previously relied heavily on France and the United States but now seek to reduce their dependence on Western countries and arm themselves independently. He linked the acquisition of the system to the fight against terrorism and decolonization.
After Traore came to power, Burkina Faso strengthened ties with China and Russia, while also severing longstanding security ties with France and Western allies. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, last year the country received VN22B fire support vehicles, PLL-05 120 mm self-propelled gun-mortars, and SR5 multiple launch rocket systems. Over the past two years, Burkina Faso has also received Chinese armored vehicles, artillery systems, and missile systems.
