Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have received a Chinese-made FB-10A short-range surface-to-air missile system.
The acquisition follows the RSF’s earlier procurement of the Chinese FK-2000 air defense system and underscores the growing sophistication of the group’s military capabilities.
According to the Clash Report, the FB-10A system was originally purchased by Chad from China in February 2025 under a deal backed by the United Arab Emirates. However, instead of entering Chadian service, the system was diverted and ultimately delivered to the RSF in Sudan — a move that analysts say likely constitutes a breach of United Nations restrictions.
The FB-10A air defense system, developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is designed to equip mechanized and motorized units as well as mountain and rapid reaction forces. It is tasked with short-range and point air defense missions, intercepting helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, and fixed-wing aircraft.
The system provides close-range protection for frontline units and key installations. Its modular architecture allows for both networked and stand-alone operations. Each vehicle integrates target detection, tracking, parameter calculation, and missile launch systems into a single platform that also serves as the system’s fire-control center.
The FB-10A can operate as part of a larger air defense network or independently perform interception missions, providing flexible protection options for mobile units. It features advanced engagement capabilities with an interception range of up to 18 kilometers.
Its appearance in RSF hands adds a new layer of complexity to Sudan’s conflict, giving the paramilitary group a more capable air defense capability amid its ongoing battles with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
“The Chinese FB-10A SAM system, bought by Chad in February 2025, was never deployed there — it has surfaced in Sudan, now in the hands of the RSF,” said OSINT analyst Rich Tedd. “However, according to exclusive information and confidential documents obtained by TchadOne, the air defence system never entered service in Chad. Barely delivered, it disappeared from the army’s inventory and was later traced to Sudan, in flagrant violation of the arms embargo.”
Evidence suggests that the UAE has played a central role in equipping the group through proxy channels, using partners in Chad and Libya to move military hardware across borders.
“Although the RSF now relies on crucial backing from Libya, much of its advanced weaponry has been channelled through Chad,” Tedd added. “Since the beginning of the year, it has received Emirati armoured & logistics vehicles, along with FK-2000 and FB-10A SHORAD air defence systems.”
The UAE’s alleged involvement in funneling Chinese air defense systems to the RSF is part of a broader pattern that has emerged since Sudan’s civil conflict intensified. Both Chad and Libya have been accused of serving as conduits for arms transfers, enabling the paramilitary group to bypass embargoes and strengthen its arsenal with increasingly advanced technology.
The appearance of the FB-10A in Sudan also points to deepening ties between the RSF and foreign backers. Since 2023, the group has acquired a growing array of advanced weaponry, from armored vehicles and drones to precision-guided munitions. The introduction of SHORAD systems like the FK-2000 and FB-10A now gives the RSF an enhanced ability to defend its forces against aerial attacks — a capability that could shift the tactical balance on the battlefield.