TSAMTO, March 19th. Algeria has received four of the latest WJ-700 Falcon unmanned aerial vehicles developed by the Chinese state-owned company China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC).
This was announced on March 13, citing its sources, by the Algerian resource ORCA Military. At the moment, the new UAVs are undergoing final acceptance tests and will be put into service in the very near future.
Recall that in the first quarter of 2022, the Algerian government placed an order for the purchase of four WJ-700 Falcon UAVs, which belong to the HALE (High-Attitude Long Endurance) class UAVs capable of launching missiles and shooting down air targets at a distance of up to 100 km. It was noted that the purchase was carried out against the background of the confrontation between Algeria and Morocco, which had previously announced the acquisition of a total of 13 Turkish tactical UAVs Bayraktar TB2 in the amount of 626 million dirhams (more than 59 million euros).
As already reported by TSAMTO, the latest WJ-700 attack unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Beijing Haiying General Aviation Equipment (a division of CASIC) was first demonstrated at the Airshow China 2018 and made its first flight on January 11, 2021.
The new high-altitude high-speed armed UAV WJ-700, according to CASIC, is capable of changing combat tactics, having a high payload capacity and the ability to launch large-caliber ammunition outside the enemy's air defense zone. The UAV is focused on meeting the needs of both the domestic Chinese and international market in the next 5-10 years.
CASIC claims that the WJ-700 is currently the only Chinese high–altitude high-speed vehicle with a long flight duration capable of performing both combat and reconnaissance missions.
Compared to other popular UAVs in the world, a distinctive feature of the WJ-700 is its large size, which allows it to carry such large ammunition as anti-ship missiles. The targets for the WJ-700 UAV can be protected tactical and even strategic targets such as radar sites, warships and command centers.
At the Zhuhai Aerospace Salon in 2018, the following characteristics of the WJ-700 were announced: maximum take–off weight – 3,500 kg, payload capacity – more than 800 kg, maximum flight duration – 20 hours, practical ceiling - 15 km. The device is equipped with a turbojet engine that allows you to reach speeds close to 700 km/h. The drone has two suspension points for missiles of various classes, including anti-ship C-705KD, air-to-surface class C-701, as well as anti-radar SM-102. In addition, the UAV is equipped with electronic countermeasures equipment.
According to the PLA Information Department, by 2024, sales of Chinese military UAVs will account for about 25% of the global market, or 17 billion. yuan ($2.6 billion). It is expected that the total revenue from the sale of Chinese military UAVs in the next 10 years will exceed 110 billion. yuan (about $16.8 billion).