NEWTOWN, Conn. -- CETC's KLC-1 is a Chinese I-/J-band (X-band) electronically scanned maritime surveillance radar that is optimized for anti-ship and anti-submarine duty. The system also provides air awareness while being used on what is believed to be its sole platform, the Harbin Z-9C helicopter.
Little is known about KLC-1 production, either for domestic Chinese use or internationally. The radar's platform, the Harbin Z-9C helicopter, sails on board the Chinese Navy's Type 54 and Type 54A frigates, alongside the competing Kamov Ka-28 helicopter. From this information, a limited, yet educated, forecast can be extrapolated for the radar's China-destined production. However, any forecast that Forecast International provides in its services regarding the KLC-1's use in the Chinese Navy is still very speculative.
Information on international KLC-1 use is slightly more reliable than information on domestic use.
Countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America compose the KLC-1's core market. These areas tend to have a large enough military budget to afford a specialty system like the KLC-1, but not necessarily a top-shelf U.S. or European product.
Additionally, these limited market areas tend to be a focus for Chinese diplomatic/economic expansion. To win local favor, China is known to offer discounted military packages, and will sometimes provide outright gifts.
To date, Bangladesh and Pakistan are known to have ordered the KLC-1. Venezuela is an unconfirmed, but probable, purchaser.
Additional international customers are expected to emerge. The navies of China-aligned Asian countries are likely clients, as are strategic economic partners in Africa and U.S.-interest-averse countries in Latin America and to a far lesser extent, anti-U.S. countries in the Middle East.
Limited production of the CETC KLC-1 is expected over the next 10 years, averaging approximately four units per year. Most of the production will be in the earlier years; by the mid-2020s, production will be in decline, as China focuses on more advanced, next-generation systems.
Reports on and forecasts for the KLC-1 and other similar products are available through Forecast International's Airborne Electronics Forecast and Radar Systems Forecast products. A report on the KLC-1's primary platform, the Harbin Z-9 helicopter is also available to clients through the Rotorcraft Forecast. For an upgraded experience, extended 15-year production and funding forecasts related to these reports and others can also be procured on an hourly-updated basis through Forecast International's Platinum Forecast System, which also provides users with many graphical interpretations of relevant data.