The QW-19 MANPADS, displayed by CASIC at DSA 2024 held in Kuala Lumpur in May, primarily intended for battlefield defence or point defence of key assets, but can also be mounted on light vehicles and ships. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)
The Indonesian Air Force has started training its troops on the QianWei-3 (QW-3) and QW-19 manportable air-defence systems (MANPADSs) developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the service said in a press release in late May.
The training seeks to improve the technical skills of the Indonesian Air Force personnel to operate and maintain these MANPADSs, the service said.
This training “is designed to prepare technicians to face increasingly complex maintenance challenges with continuously developing technology, [and] ensuring they are ready in all situations”, the Indonesian Air Force added.
According to the service, with a deeper understanding of the QW-3 and QW-19 missiles, “technicians are expected to provide optimal contributions in carrying out their duties, maintaining the readiness and reliability of the Indonesian Air Force's defence equipment”.
The Indonesian Air Force inducted the QW-3 in 2010, but this is the first official announcement that the service also operates the QW-19.
The service ordered an unknown number of the QW-19 MANPADS worth IDR20.2 billion (USD1.2 million) in 2023 and likely received them in early 2024.
According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, the QW-19 is designed to engage targets such as low and slow-flying fighters and close air support aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and is also capable of engaging cruise missiles.
The missile is typically operated by a two-person team and launched from a stationary position. The QW-19 MANPADS is armed with the QW-19 missile. Janes
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