China Clones Ukrainian Supersonic Cruise Missile

China’s Guangdong Hongda Blasting Co Ltd presented HD-1A missile that shares striking similarities to the Ukrainian-made Bliskavka (“Lightning”) supersonic cruise missile.

The company unveiled a mock-up of its new missile system at the Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai. It looked like a clone of Bliskavka missile designed by Ukrainian defense contractor Yuzhnoye, Defence Blog reported.

HD-1A is reportedly designed to destroy both ground and sea targets. It is said to provide precision strikes and fire support, including coastal defense and channel blockade. It can also destroy well-protected targets, such as communications and command centers, military bases, military infrastructure and enemy naval ships.

“It is a new weapon system capable of guaranteeing strategic deterrence and performing tactical precision strikes,” the company said.

The Chinese HD-1A consists of a missile, launch system and integrated support system. It has been developed for use in missions aimed at destroying high-quality, well-protected targets, such as communication and command centers, air forces bases, maintenance centers and infrastructure.

As a Chinese clone, the Ukrainian missile has air intakes on both sides of the missile that suggest it is a ramjet-powered missile. In general, the design of both missiles is very similar but has a number of differences.

Bliskavka was first unveiled at the Zbroya ta bezpeka-2019 (Arms and Security-2019) military exhibition in Kiev, Ukraine. 

According to Ukrainian news outlet UAWire, Bliskavka is designed to be carried by the country’s Su-27 Flanker and Su-24 Fencer combat aircraft. The missiles can be fitted with high explosive and armor piercing warheads, and has a top speed of 2000-2500 kmph.

In the past, China has been accused of copying a number of foreign military equipment including C-17 transport plane (Y-20), UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter (Z-20), Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (Type 052), Sukhoi Su-30 jet (J-16) and F-35 jet (FC-31).