Click to see full-size image. (Sudanese Armed Forces)
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has finally managed to hit one of the Chinese-made FK-2000 self-propelled, short to medium-range systems fielded by the Rapid Support Force (RSF).
The announcement was made by SAF spokesman Brig. Gen. Assem Awad, who said in a statement published by the Al-Sudani newspaper on February 10 that military units were able to “detect and destroy” drone storage facilities and control units, as well as air defense systems deployed in the regions of Kordofan and Darfur “with high precision.”
Photos shared by the spokesman show at least one heavily damaged FK-2000, in addition to at least one CH-95 combat drone.
Click to see full-size image. (Sudanese Armed Forces)
The SAF, which is allied to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, has been engaged in a power struggle with the RSF, backed by the United Arab Emirates, for close to three years now.
Over the past year, the RSF managed to shoot down multiple drones of the SAF using FK-2000 systems. The UAE reportedly supplied at least two such systems to the paramilitary force after purchasing them from China.
The FK-2000, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), is mounted on an 8×8 transporter chassis. It is reported to be capable of engaging aerial targets with its missiles at a range up to 25 kilometers.
The system can be loaded with up to 16 missiles at once, eight on each side of its turret. The missiles are believed to be guided via command. In addition to the missiles, the air defense system is armed with two 30 mm six-barrel Gatling cannon, also with adjustable elevation.
A search radar is mounted at the top-rear position of the system’s turret, while the targeting radar is mounted at the front position. An electro-optical is also mounted as the auxiliary fire control.
The drones shot down by the RSF’s FK-2000s over the past year included at least seven Bayraktar Akıncı combat drones. The last two were shot down on January 8 and 24 of this year. Each Akıncı costs upwards of $30 million.
Interestingly, the photos released by the SAF have the same markers typically seen in the optical targeting systems installed in the Akıncı or the smaller Bayraktar TB2 combat drone. Both made by Turkish drone giant Baykar, which reportedly supplied them to the Sudanese military. This indicates that for the first time, an Akıncı was able to hit an FK-2000, which recently became to be known as the “Akıncı killer”.
Click to see full-size image. (Sudanese Armed Forces)
Click to see full-size image. (Sudanese Armed Forces)
The appearance of the CH-95 was not of course surprising, as several such drones have been already shot down by the SAF. The drone is said to be a larger version of the CH-92A, made by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The CH-95 is reported to have a service ceiling of 7,000 meters, with a combat radius of 250 kilometers and endurance of up to 12 hours.
Click to see full-size image. (Sudanese Armed Forces)
All in all, the SAF’s latest successful strikes indicate that the power struggle in Sudan has entered a new phase. The military is clearly recovering from support from its allies. It’s worth noting that a recent report revealed that Akıncı has been operating in support of the SAF from a secret air base in Egypt.
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they have trucks that can pump clean septic tanks .
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normalising war for the 100 years ahead .