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Lucky Number Eight
June 12, 2007: China is selling three new portable
anti-aircraft missiles, the QW (Qiang Wei) 11, QW18 and QW-1G. These replace
the older QW1, QW2, QW3 and QW4 models. These were all copies of various
Russian (SA-7, SA-16, SA-18) and American (Stinger) missiles. The ranges were
from 3-5 kilometers, weight between 20-30 pounds, and the big differences were in overall
reliability (low) and sensitivity of the heat sensor (not bad). Chinese
missiles sell for less than half what their Russian or American originals
do. The three new models feature
improvements in heat sensor sensitivity, counter-measures (ability to spot
flares and avoid them), and overall maneuverability. Chinese missile salesmen
also admit that the QW18 was so named because the Chinese numeral eight is a
lucky number, and incorporating into a weapon name seemed like a good idea. The
Chinese offer these missiles to governments, and try to keep them out of the
hands of arms smugglers and terrorist groups.
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