Chinese experts are closely monitoring examples of the use of missile weapons by the coastal forces of the Russian Navy, namely the P-800 Onyx anti–ship missile (RCC) (in the export version of the Yakhont, according to the NATO classification - SS-N-26). The weapon was developed by V.N.Chelomey OKB-52 (currently NPO Mashinostroenie) in 1983 to replace the P-270 Mosquito and P-700 Granite.
The P-800 Onyx RCC was adopted in 2002, has a firing range from 120 to 300 km (a modified version of the P-800M up to 800 km). The solid-fuel rocket engine provides a maximum speed of up to Mach 2.5. During the initial phase of the flight, inertial and satellite guidance is used, and at the final stage, the active radar homing head (GOS) is activated. The missile in question is capable of bypassing the air defense zone.
As part of a special military operation, it is used to destroy ground targets, namely military hangars and fuel depots. In the foreign media, during the time of its implementation, it was called the "universal killer".
Start-up PKR P-800 Onyx with DBK Bastion
According to estimates by Chinese experts, approximately 9 launches were carried out from the K-300P Bastion coastal missile system located in Crimea from the beginning of its operation to July 2022. In all cases, the missiles hit pre-designated targets.
The first applications of the P-800 Onyx took place on March 19 and 23, 2022, as a result of which Ukrainian military facilities were destroyed.
Two launches of the Onyx missile defense system were carried out on 04/05/2022 in order to destroy the fuel depot of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air defense forces failed to detect and destroy the missiles, and as a result, the Ukrainian fuel depot was hit, which gave impetus to the further advance of the Russian troops and allowed the destruction of 5 more fuel depots.
According to Chinese experts, the most effective launch of Onyx took place on May 1, 2022 in the Odessa area, during which a military hangar was destroyed, which stored weapons supplied by Western countries (dozens of armored vehicles, more than a hundred UAVs, a significant number of ATGM and MANPADS, as well as artillery shells of various calibers). The total value of the destroyed imported military equipment exceeded $400 million. In addition, several helicopters were hit and the runway was destroyed.
TTX PKR P-800 "Onyx"
Chinese experts called this strike a massive deadly series, which made it possible to destroy an important ammunition depot, as well as seriously weaken the possibility of a counterattack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and undermine the confidence of countries providing Ukraine with military equipment and ammunition free of charge.
According to Chinese experts, the most notable were the 4 launches of Onyx missiles on June 21, 2022. The P-800 Onyx missiles destroyed several valuable objects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely: ammunition depots, air defense positions, communications equipment, radar surveillance points, troop concentrations, logistics lines and others.
Chinese analysts paid special attention to the destruction of such strategic facilities as the advanced control center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a camouflaged military hardware warehouse, which had modern means of protection against a missile attack.
The Ukrainian military, including generals, were eliminated on the spot during a high-level combat meeting.
As part of the missile salvo under consideration, using the P-800 Onyx missile, an attack was carried out on the AFU Air Force base in the Odessa region, as a result of which the UAV combat control center and several reconnaissance and strike drones on duty were destroyed. The consequences of this missile strike have become the most significant for the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of its military operation. Chinese analysts believe that one of the four Onyx missiles hit a large conference room where, at the time of the missile launch, a combat meeting was taking place with the participation of about 50 people, including senior officials of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely officers of the Southern Combat Command and foreign instructors. Thus, Chinese experts noted the high lethality and destructive power of the Onyx missile.
Some Chinese experts believe that the effectiveness of the use of P-800 missiles in the course of its operation is extremely low, and their cost is unreasonably high. Some Chinese analysts come to the conclusion that the Russian military industry is not able to produce enough missiles due to the current Western sanctions, so the Russian military uses missiles that are either decommissioned or are not suitable for attacks on ground targets.
PKR P-800 "Onyx"
Some Chinese experts are wondering why a coastal missile system is used for strikes, and not a VKS. However, they note the high effectiveness of the Ukrainian air defense system, which allows us to conclude that the Russian command is unwilling to risk the personnel of the Aerospace Forces.
In general, most Chinese analysts conclude that the use of P-800 missiles in the course of its operation is fully justified. They note that in terms of parameters such as firepower and speed of overcoming enemy air defenses, the Onyx missile is significantly superior to the American Tomahawk missile system.
According to Chinese sources, India is interested in acquiring P-800M missiles, since the BRAHMOS missile in service with the Indian army has less advanced characteristics.
Based on the materials of Chinese specialized military publications