Missile HJ-8

The HJ-8, also designated AFT-8, was proposed in 1970 by China's armored corps as a successor to the HJ-73. Political turmoil delayed the program, and development was not completed until the early 1980s. Following state certification, the missile entered mass production in 1984.

The HJ-8 is a second-generation, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided anti-tank missile system. The baseline system utilizes a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. Subsequent variants introduced tandem-charge warheads designed to defeat explosive reactive armor, anti-bunker warheads, thermobaric warheads, and anti-ship warheads. While the original system relies on optical tracking and wire guidance, the HJ-11 variant utilizes semi-active laser guidance and laser beam riding. Fire control systems on upgraded variants incorporate digitized units and thermal imaging for all-weather, day-and-night operations. The system is deployed from ground-based tripods, light utility vehicles, armored fighting vehicles equipped with turrets, and helicopter gunships.

The system is widely deployed and has been exported to numerous countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Pakistan produces the system locally under license as the Baktar-Shikan, which it also exports. Sudan produces the system under license as the Sarib. Non-state operators include the United Wa State Army, Kurdish Peshmerga, and the Al-Qassam Brigades.

The missile has seen combat deployment in multiple conflicts. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, government forces deployed the Baktar-Shikan variant against Serb armor during the 1993 offensive. The Sri Lankan Army used the system to destroy separatist bunkers and Tamil Tiger fast attack craft during the 2009 Battle of Mullaitivu. During the Syrian Civil War, opposition forces used the missile to destroy Syrian Arab Army armor, including T-72 tanks. In Iraq, Peshmerga forces deployed the system against ISIL and used it to destroy an Iraqi Army M1 Abrams tank during the Battle of Altun Kupri. Pakistan has deployed the Baktar-Shikan variant against insurgent caves and hideouts during Operation Zarb-e-Azb and against military bunkers along the Line of Control. In 2024, the Al-Qassam Brigades used the system in the Gaza Strip to target Israeli Namer armored personnel carriers, bypassing the vehicle's active protection system.