China's Y-20 with 6 HQ-22 Surface-to-Air Missiles Export Version FK-3 Loaded, Heading to Serbia
Serbia as a Representative Cheonreo Nation and President Vucic is Close with Putin
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] It was reported by state media that six Chinese large transport aircraft, Y-20 transporters, visited Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, at the same time. It was also reported that the cargo transported to Serbia could be the FK-3 missile system, an export version of the HQ-22 surface-to-air missile developed by China. Serbia is a European country showing a pro-Russian stance.
Huanqiu Shibao reported on the 11th that the Y-20 transport aircraft belonging to the People's Liberation Army Air Force recently landed in Belgrade, Serbia, using Turkish airspace, and then returned to China.
The Y-20 transport aircraft is a large transport plane independently developed by China, benchmarking the U.S. C-17 transport aircraft. Its flight range is known to reach 7,800 km, and its maximum payload is about 66 tons. It is also reported that China is currently test-flying an aerial refueling tanker modified from the Y-20 transport aircraft.
Huanqiu Shibao explained that six Y-20 transport aircraft simultaneously conducted an overseas operation, calling this overseas transport mission unprecedented.
Chinese military expert Pu Qianshao attributed the transport operation to "indicating an improvement in the People's Liberation Army Air Force's long-range transport capability and long-distance logistics support ability through large transport aircraft."
The media reported that Chinese authorities have not confirmed the operation of the Y-20 transport aircraft, and that this mission could be the delivery of the FK-3 missile, an export version of the HQ-22 surface-to-air missile.
The export version of the HQ-22 surface-to-air missile is known as a surface-to-air missile defense system composed of one radar vehicle and missile launch vehicles. It is reported to have a system capable of simultaneously tracking and precisely striking six targets within a range of 150 km.
In this regard, foreign media reported on the 11th that Serbia will become the first country in Europe to operate a Chinese missile system. Serbian authorities have also not commented on the specific cargo carried by the six Y-20 transport aircraft.
However, on the 9th, Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? reportedly said that the Serbian military would showcase its "latest pride" on the 12th to 13th. This "latest pride" is interpreted as hinting at the Chinese missile defense system, the FK-3 missile system.
Serbia is known as one of the European countries that show a representative pro-Russian stance. During the Kosovo War in the late 1990s, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bombed Serbia to support Kosovo's independence. Resentment against NATO inevitably remains.
President Vu?i?, who came to power in 2017, is also known to have a close relationship with President Vladimir Putin. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Vu?i? refused the Western camp's request, including the United States, to join sanctions against Russia, citing that it would go against national interests.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
