Since the Sudanese army has been equipped with Guardian-1B long-range fires for many years and has accumulated rich experience in using them, outsiders believe that Sudan is likely to prepare to buy another batch of Guardian 2 long-range fires to enhance its strategic deterrence

htmlOn August 22, a photo from the Sudan Military Equipment Achievements Exhibition attracted attention from all parties on social media because a model of my country’s Foreign Trade Guardian-2 long-range rocket launcher appeared in it. Since the Sudanese army has been equipped with Guardian-1B remote fires for many years and has accumulated rich experience in use, outsiders believe that Sudan is likely to prepare to buy another batch of Guardian 2 remote fires to enhance its capabilities against neighboring countries, especially against Ethiopia strategic deterrence capability.

Picture: India’s Akash anti-aircraft missile and my country’s Foreign Trade Defender-2 long-range fire model presented at the Sudanese Army Equipment Achievements Exhibition

Picture: The Sudanese Army’s display of the Defender-2 Long-range fire model

Picture: Guardian-2 long-range fire

Compared with the Guard-1B long-range fire that has been used by the Sudanese army for many years, the Guardian-2 long-range fire has been comprehensively improved in terms of range, power, strike accuracy and bomb load. Since the caliber of the rocket of the Defender-2 has been increased from the 302 mm of the Defender-1B to 400 mm, it can carry more fuel and a larger warhead, and its range has been increased from the 180 kilometers of the Defender-1B. Above 200 kilometers, the warhead has also increased to 200 kilograms. In terms of strike accuracy, since the Guardian-1B has no guidance means, the accuracy is relatively poor. The Guardian-2 adds strapdown inertial navigation, so the accuracy is greatly improved. Especially the later improved models such as the Guardian-2B and C also add the satellite correction method, and the accuracy can be guaranteed within 50 meters.

Picture: Sudanese Army’s Guard-1B long-range fire

Picture: Comparison of Guard-2 and Guard-1B long-range fire

In addition to the Guard-2 series of rockets, the launch vehicle of this Guard-2 can also universally launch the Guard-3A The range of guided rockets has been increased to 280 kilometers, and the strike accuracy is also within 50 meters. In terms of bomb load, because the Guardian-2 uses an 8x8 heavy-duty chassis, which has a stronger load-bearing capacity than the 6x6 chassis of the Guardian-1B, the bomb load per vehicle has increased from 4 to 6, and the firepower is more sustainable. In addition, in terms of loading method, the Defender-2 uses a launch box to be hoisted as a whole for reloading, which is simpler and more efficient than the guide rail loading of the Defender-1B.

Picture: The A300 long-range fire imported by Ethiopia from my country

The reason why the Sudanese army wants the Guardian-2 long-range fire is mainly due to the "point kill" capability brought by its precision-guided rockets, because only in this way can it compete with neighboring countries. The A300 equipped by the Ethiopian army competes with the long-range fire. The latter has a maximum range of 280 kilometers. It also uses inertial navigation plus satellite correction. Its strike accuracy was demonstrated in actual combat during the Ethiopian Civil War. The error can reach about 5 meters, which can be said to be very accurate. This kind of performance is unmatched by the Sudanese army's Guardian-1B long-range fire, so the Guardian-2 is needed to regain the deterrence balance. However, Ethiopia 's A300 long-range fire can also launch M20 combat tactical ballistic missiles together, which still has an advantage compared to the Guardian-2.