Foreign media reported that China tested a new missile defense radar, successfully detecting 16 incoming missiles simultaneously and able to counter saturation attacks. According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, which closely monitors Chinese public papers, the Chinese People's Liberation Army recently conducted an unprecedented missile defense test in the desert of western China's Gobi region, fully demonstrating our country's advanced military technology and strategic resolve. (An X-band large phased array radar model on display at the Zhuhai Airshow, which also has an S-band version) The South China Morning Post cited a public paper from the PLA disclosing that the main purpose of this exercise was to test a new S/X dual-band phased array radar system capable of countering ballistic missile and hypersonic missile saturation attacks. In this trial, the testing unit simultaneously launched 16 ballistic missiles at a target in the Gobi Desert. The radar system achieved 100% success in detecting and tracking these missiles, proving that this radar can maintain precise threat prioritization while distinguishing between real warheads and decoys. However, this test only aimed to validate the radar and did not launch interception missiles for interception, leaving it still some distance from realistic anti-missile operations. (A Hongqi-19 displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow) The timing of this missile defense test conducted by the PLA is intriguing, as just about two weeks prior, the U.S. Navy had completed a ballistic missile defense test for its "Aegis" system, known as "Flight Test 40 (FTX-40)." In this test, the "Arleigh Burke"-class destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91)'s "Aegis" system had just been upgraded with the "Capability Package 24," "Ballistic Missile Defense 5.1.5 System," and "Sea-Based Terminal Increment 3" capabilities. This test involved another ship launching a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6 Block IAU) to simulate a hypersonic missile, with the results proving that this version of the "Aegis" system could successfully detect, track, and simulate engagement with the target. Like the PLA test, the U.S. test did not involve intercepting missiles, but compared to the U.S., the PLA's test clearly shows a higher level of sophistication, as we validated our ability to counter saturation attacks. From the practical outcomes of the U.S. and Israel against Iran's missile strikes a few months ago, both the U.S. and Israeli existing missile defense systems not only performed poorly in countering saturation attacks but also showed concerning results in dealing with individual missile attacks. This is one of the reasons why the U.S. continues to conduct tests and upgrades. (A Hongqi-9BE air defense and anti-missile system) The radar system used in this missile defense test by the PLA has not been disclosed, but at last November's Zhuhai Airshow, our national defense industry units exhibited numerous air defense radar systems, including mobile large-scale X-band and S-band radar models. The Zhuhai Airshow also showcased the Hongqi-19 anti-ballistic missile interceptor, though the guidance radar for the Hongqi-19 system was not on display. We can look forward to seeing this successful radar system participate in future Zhuhai Airshows. Some foreign media outlets have compared this successful radar system from the PLA test with the U.S. Navy's "Cobra King" system. The "Cobra King" system was installed on the Howard O. Lorenzen (USNS Howard O. Lorenzen), a large missile observation ship with a displacement of over nine thousand tons. Most notably, the ship's mid-rear section features two rotatable large phased array radar systems, one X-band and the other S-band. (U.S. Navy's "Howard Lorenzen" radar vessel, also known as the "Cobra King") The U.S. Navy has used this system for multiple missile defense tests, although they have never conducted a saturation attack test like the PLA. The "Howard Lorenzen" is long-term stationed in Japan's naval ports, and it never rests during each ballistic missile test by North Korea or China. Foreign media have made many guesses about the targets and opponents of this successful anti-missile radar system tested by the PLA, with the main views being as follows: Firstly, this system is primarily designed to counter the ballistic missile threat from the United States and is comparable to the U.S. BMD system. Secondly, the anti-saturation anti-missile system puts India under significant pressure. India has already equipped itself with the Agni-II and Agni-III ballistic missiles, with ranges exceeding 2,000 and 3,200 kilometers respectively, reportedly targeting western, central, and southern regions of China. Starting in 2022, the deployed Agni-IV has a range of over 3,500 kilometers, and the Agni-V expected to enter service in 2025 has a range extending beyond 5,000 kilometers, posing an increasingly greater threat to China. The problem is that India has very limited numbers of ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads, with estimates placing them in the tens. Therefore, after China deploys an anti-saturation attack system, India's nuclear threat to China will be greatly diminished. This is not good news for India. India's military media also extensively covered this test by the PLA, showing their great interest. Lastly, this radar system can also monitor and track low Earth orbit (LEO) targets, potentially being used for anti-satellite missions. Foreign media believe that the U.S.'s "Starlink," "Starshield," and other low-orbit military or civilian-military constellations pose a significant threat to China, and China must have contingency plans. In the eyes of foreign media, this radar system will also become part of China's anti-satellite system. Over the past few months, it has become clear that China's new military equipment is not only "bursting forth" but is also no longer "kept under wraps." A large number of cutting-edge weapons with world-class standards are beginning to surface. China's defense industry has "unblocked the Ren and Du meridians," and more leading global weapons will emerge in the future. Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7492319379141558811/ Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's views. Please express your stance by clicking the "like/dislike" buttons below.