Hezbollah’s Arsenal: The growing Threat of Chinese Made QW-18 Manpads

Manish ShuklaOctober 15, 2024

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The recent seizure of Chinese-made QW-18 MANPADS (Man-portable Air Defence Systems) by Israeli forces from Hezbollah in southern Lebanon highlights a troubling trend in the proliferation of advanced weaponry linked to China. This incident not only raises concerns about regional security but also casts a shadow on China’s role in the global arms trade, particularly in relation to non-state actors and militant groups.

On 10 October 2024, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) released a video showcasing a raid that uncovered a Hezbollah weapons cache in a Lebanese village near the Israeli border. The IDF spokesperson highlighted the presence of various weapons, including Chinese-made QW-18 MANPADS, sniper rifles, and hand grenades. This discovery emphasizes the significant threat posed by Hezbollah’s arsenal, particularly the long-range capabilities of the QW-18, which can target IDF forces from considerable distances. The video illustrates the ongoing danger these weapons present to both military personnel and civilians in the region, as Hezbollah continues to enhance its military capabilities with advanced weaponry sourced from China.

According to the BICC (Bonn International Centre for Conversion), China is one of the few countries that manufacture MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defence Systems), producing systems like the QW series, which includes the QW-1 and QW-18. These systems are often derived from or inspired by Soviet designs, such as the Igla. The proliferation of Chinese-made MANPADS has raised concerns, as they have been supplied to various non-state actors and armed groups, contributing to regional instability and posing significant threats to military and civilian aircraft.

According to the Small Arms Survey (SAS) report 2024, Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the illicit trade of Chinese-designed QW-18 MANPADS. This independent monitoring group has identified 49 cases of advanced Chinese MANPADS being possessed by various armed groups across multiple countries, including Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. The QW-18, which has been seized recently, is part of this worrying trend. It is an all-weather system capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 5,000 meters and altitudes from 10 to 4,000 meters. The proliferation of these systems is alarming not only due to their effectiveness but also because they are increasingly falling into the hands of groups like Hezbollah, which have demonstrated a willingness to use such technology against state actors.

The QW-18 systems are reportedly derived from Soviet designs, showcasing China’s reliance on reverse engineering rather than original innovation. This practice raises ethical questions about China’s commitment to responsible arms trade practices. Furthermore, as the demand for advanced weaponry grows among non-state actors, China’s ability to produce and supply such systems positions it as a major player in the illicit arms market. The Small Arms Survey’s findings suggest that while Soviet-era systems still dominate the market, Chinese MANPADS are rapidly gaining ground due to their availability and effectiveness.

The seizure of QW-18 MANPADS by Israeli forces has prompted reactions from various stakeholders in the region. Israel views this as a direct threat to its national security and has vowed to take measures against any attempts by Hezbollah or other groups to enhance their military capabilities through such systems. This situation underscores the precarious balance of power in the region, where advanced weaponry can easily tip the scales toward conflict.

The seizure of Chinese-made QW-18 MANPADS from Hezbollah serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding global arms proliferation. As long as such systems continue to flow into conflict zones, the risks associated with their use will persist, necessitating a concerted effort from the international community to address these challenges head-on.