# Algerian Military displays Chinese-made CASC CH-4 and CH-3 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2018/11/algerian-military-displays-chinese-made-casc-ch-4-and-ch-3-unmanned-aerial-vehicles/
- Published: 2018-11-03T09:25:34+01:00
- Author: Darek Liam

The Algerian Ministry of National Defence (MDN) recently displayed two Chinese-made
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in its coverage of a visit by Chief of Staff Lieutenant
General Ahmed Gaïd Salah to Ain Ouessara Air Base in the 1st Military Region on 
30 October.

The footage released to Algerian television showed Lt Gen Salah inspecting CASC 
CH-4 and CH-3 UAVs in a hangar, and also during taking off and in flight. Although
both UAVs were unarmed, however, the CH-4 and CH-3 are both capable of carrying 
various types of munitions especially the AR-1 Precision Guided Missile (PGM) used
extensively by many countries in Africa.

The acquisition of this type of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) makes Algeria
one of the few African countries to deploy[ armed drones in combat,](https://www.military.africa/2018/11/algerian-military-displays-chinese-made-casc-ch-4-and-ch-3-unmanned-aerial-vehicles/military.africa/2017/09/the-three-deadliest-drone-powers-in-africa)
behind Nigeria and Egypt.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/algerian-air-force-ch-4-uav-300x169.
jpg)

Algerian Air Force CASC CH-4 UCAV

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/algerian-air-force-ch-3-uav-drone-
300x118.jpg)

An Algerian Air Force CASC Rainbow CH-3 UAV in flight, note the distinctive wind-
mounted twin-rudder.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/algerian-air-force-ch-4-uav-drone-
300x102.jpg)

An Algerian Air Force Chinese-made CASC Rainbow CH-4 UCAV in flight [Photo Credit:
The Algerian Ministry of National Defence (MDN)]

The CASC Rainbow (Cai Hong, abbreviated as CH) is a series of Chinese-made Unmanned
Aerial Combat Vehicles (UCAV) developed by China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

ADVERTISEMENT

The CASC CH-3 is a fixed-wing UCAV of the Rainbow series which spots an unusual 
canard layout, and a wing-mounted rudder system. In January 2015, a Nigerian Air
Force CH-3 drone was reported to have crashed in the north of Nigeria, while conducting
an airstrike against the Islamic militant group Boko Haram.

The CASC CH-4 on the other hand is one of the largest fixed-wing UCAV of the Rainbow
series, Aesthetically similar to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, and the only distinct
visual difference between two UAVs is that the ventral fin below the V-tail on MQ-
9 which is absent on CH-4.

ADVERTISEMENT

Both can be armed with a similar plethora of weapons.

The Algerian Air Force CASC CH-3 and CH-4 were acquired for precision airstrike 
mission in the [ongoing counter-terrorism operations](https://www.military.africa/2018/11/algerian-military-displays-chinese-made-casc-ch-4-and-ch-3-unmanned-aerial-vehicles/military.africa/2018/07/african-conflict-map-a-comprehensive-guide)
in the country.

### _Related_