Egypt could arm Rafale jets with Chinese long-range HD-1A missiles
A recent Israeli report highlights the possibility that China could supply Egypt with the advanced long-range cruise missile, the Guangdong Hongda HD-1A. These missiles, with a range surpassing 290 kilometers, could be integrated into the Egyptian Air Force’s fleet, specifically with French-made Rafale fighters.
This integration would give Egypt a considerable edge in regional power projection. The report points to the logistical and political difficulties Cairo faces in acquiring such advanced weaponry, such as the SCALP-EG missiles, which have been heavily influenced by Israeli and U.S. efforts to maintain Israel’s military superiority in the region.
Despite this, Egypt succeeded in securing SCALP missiles after intense negotiations, signaling its increasing reliance on diversified arms sources beyond Western powers.
The Guangdong Hongda HD-1A missile stands out due to its precision targeting capabilities and long-range reach, making it a potentially game-changing addition to Egypt’s military assets. These weapons would provide Egypt with enhanced deterrence capabilities, offering the ability to strike strategic targets well beyond the range of current missile systems.
Given China’s growing partnership with Egypt, this potential missile deal is seen as part of a broader strategy by Cairo to expand its arms supply options, particularly away from Western sources.
A memorable moment at the Zhuhai Airshow in southern China sparked considerable interest when a model of a French Rafale fighter was displayed armed with two Guangdong Hongda HD-1A missiles. This prompted speculation, with some dismissing it as a marketing gimmick designed to advertise China’s capabilities. Initially, experts viewed this as unlikely, citing political barriers due to China’s strained relations with Western countries.
However, the Israeli report now suggests a more feasible scenario in which Egypt, bypassing Western restrictions, could acquire these Chinese missiles. This scenario aligns with Egypt’s ongoing strategy to secure advanced weaponry from non-Western nations, expanding its military partnerships with countries like China.
Recent reports also point to growing military discussions between Egypt and Italy, particularly regarding the acquisition of up to 24 Eurofighter Typhoons, valued at around $3 billion. This deal, involving a collaboration between the UK, Spain, Italy, and Germany, underscores the strength of European cooperation in modern military aviation.
Furthermore, Egypt is on the verge of reaching its long-standing goal of adding U.S.-made F-15
“Strike Eagle” fighters to its fleet, pending approval from the United States. If these deals materialize, Egypt’s Air Force, already comprising 54 Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation, would see a significant boost in capability, alongside a mix of older aircraft inherited from the Soviet era.
However, similar to the Rafale deal, Egypt may not receive the complete package when acquiring Eurofighter Typhoons. The likely exclusion of critical air-to-air missiles like the Meteor, as well as other advanced weaponry, points to the ongoing struggle Cairo faces in securing full capabilities for its new aircraft. Both France and the United States have long been hesitant to provide Egypt with long-range weapon systems due to their commitment to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.
While Israel may not oppose the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons to Egypt, it is likely to veto any deals involving air-to-air missiles like the Meteor or other long-range weaponry. Similar resistance was seen when Egypt acquired Rafales, with Israel blocking efforts to equip these fighters with advanced long-range missiles.
Despite this, the potential for Egypt to sidestep these restrictions by turning to China has become increasingly plausible. A deal involving the Guangdong Hongda HD-1A missile could become a reality, further solidifying Egypt’s military cooperation with China and challenging Western dominance in the region.
The Guangdong Hongda HD-1A is a supersonic cruise missile developed by the Chinese company Guangdong Hongda Blasting Co. Ltd. It is part of a family of missiles based on technology reverse-engineered from the Ukrainian Bliskavka missile. The HD-1A measures 5.7 meters in length, with a diameter of 375 mm, and has a launch weight of approximately 1,200 kg.
Its propulsion system features a solid-propellant ramjet, which allows it to reach speeds of up to Mach 3.5. This enables it to cover distances of up to 290 km in just a few minutes. The missile is equipped with infrared imaging guidance for the air-launched variant, and active radar for the surface-launched version [HD-1C], which is primarily designed for anti-ship roles.
The HD-1A relies on a navigation suite combining inertial navigation with GPS updates, ensuring high accuracy with a circular error probability [CEP] of 20 meters, improving to 10 meters when aided by infrared guidance. The warhead is a 240 kg fragmentation-blast type, designed to cause significant damage to both naval and land targets. The missile’s seeker is located at the front and is complemented by control surfaces at the rear to stabilize flight.
In terms of deployment, the HD-1A is usually launched from air platforms, though the larger surface-launched variant [HD-1C] uses a canister-launched system mounted on a 10×10 truck with a four-missile transporter-erector-launcher [TEL]. This setup can quickly relocate and fire missiles, offering operational flexibility and rapid response times. The surface-launched HD-1C version has a booster to accelerate the missile to supersonic speeds.
The HD-1A’s radar and sensor capabilities enhance its precision targeting in complex environments, with a single-shot kill probability of 75% against moving naval targets. Overall, the HD-1A is a highly capable missile system, combining speed, precision, and versatility for both maritime and land-based strike roles.
