Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 27, 2026

QW-2 (missile)

The QW-2 is a Chinese man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM) MANPADS. The system has improved performance against targets flying faster and at lower-altitude than the QW-1.

Last revised
Jul 27, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗
QW-2
QW-2 of the Bangladesh Army on display
TypeMan-portable air-defense system
Place of origin China
Service history
Used by China
Bangladesh
Turkmenistan
Production history
ProducedAfter 19981
Specifications
Length1.59 metres (5.2 ft)2
Operational
range
0.5–6 kilometres (0.31–3.73 mi)2
Flight ceiling0.01–4 kilometres (0.0062–2.4855 mi)2
Guidance
system
Infrared homing
Launch
platform
MANPADS
Ground vehicles3

The QW-2 (NATO reporting name: CH-SA-8)2 is a Chinese man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM) MANPADS. The system has improved performance against targets flying faster and at lower-altitude than the QW-1.3

Variants

QW-12

QW-12 source ↗

Uses a laser proximity detonator. Unveiled in November 2014.4

Operators

Bangladesh Army QW-2 during victory day parade source ↗
References

References

  1. DeClerq, David (October 1999). Trends in Small Arms and Light Weapons Development: Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Dimensions (PDF) (Report). Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada. p. 29. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  2. Dominguez, Gabriel (15 January 2018). "Footage suggests QW-2 MANPADS has entered service with Turkmenistan Army". Janes. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  3. Chinese Tactics (2021): page C-2
  4. Shukla, Parth; Udoshi, Rahul (16 February 2022). "China tests QW-12 missile capabilities". Janes. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  5. Michael Ashkenazi; Princess Mawuena Amuzu; Jan Grebe; Christof Kögler; Marc Kösling (February 2013). MANPADS - A Terrorist Threat to Civilian Aviation? (PDF) (Report). BICC brief. Vol. 47. Bonn International Center for Conversion. p. 43. ISSN 0947-7322. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2019.