According to information published by the Mena Defense website on January 23, 2022, Algeria would have confirmed the order of 6 Chinese drones CH-5 Rainbow designed and developed by CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation).

According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) arms trade database, China has already delivered in 2018 five CH-3 and five CH-4 armed drone. Citing Mena Defense website, Algeria has also ordered Wing Loong 2 UAVs and by the end of the year 2022, Algerian armed forces will have about sixty drones.

The CH-5 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations developed and produced by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. The drone was unveiled for the first time to the public in 2016 during Zhuhai Air Show China. I conducted its maiden flight in August 2015 and was demonstrated to the public in July 2017.

The CH-5 is able to carry an airborne early warning system and electronic warfare instruments to collect electronic intelligence. The drone can also jam enemy communications and radars. The CH-5 can carry up to 1,000 kilograms of equipment and weapons. It will carry 16 air-to-surface missiles when displayed at an upcoming air show, but its largest capacity is 24 missiles in a single flight, according to the Chinese industry information.

The CH-5 can stay in the air for about 60 hours and operate at an altitude of up to 10 kilometers. Its current maximum range is 6,500 kilometers, and a future upgrade will enable it to fly as far as 10,000 km.

According to Chinese engineers, China plans to develop a CH-5 that will be capable of staying in the air for up to 120 hours, with a 20,000 km range.

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