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HQ-9 Air Defense System

HQ-9 Air Defense System

Manufacturer: China Academy of Defense Tech
Category: Defense Systems
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Maximum Range 200 km
Maximum Altitude 30 km
Radar Detection Range 300 km
Missile Speed Mach 4.2

Full Specifications

1. General Information

System Name	HQ-9 / HongQi-9
Manufacturer	CPMIEC / China Academy of Defense Tech
Country of Origin	China
Type / Role	Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile System
In Service	Yes
Year Introduced	1997
Unit Cost	USD 500–700 Million (per Battery)

2. Performance & Capabilities

Maximum Engagement Range	200 km
Maximum Engagement Altitude	30 km
Target Types	Aircraft, Cruise Missiles, SRBMs, UAVs
Interception Probability	85–90% (under optimal conditions)
Reaction Time	15–20 seconds
Radar Detection Range	250–300 km

3. Missile Specifications

Missile Type	HT-233 Interceptor
Missile Length	6.8 m
Missile Weight	1300 kg
Warhead Type	Fragmentation / Pr
Warhead Weight	180 kg
Speed	Mach 4.2

4. Radar & Fire Control

Radar Type	AESA Multi-Function Radar
Radar Name	HT-233
Detection Range	300 km
Tracking Capacity	100+ Targets
Guidance System	Command + Active Radar Homing
Fire Control System	Integrated Digital Fire

5. Launcher & Mobility

Launcher Type	Mobile / Truck-Mounted
No. of Missiles per Launcher	4
Reload Time	45–60 minutes
Mobility Platform	Taian TA580 8x8 Truck
Crew Required	3–5 personnel

6. Command & Control

C2 System	Integrated Air Defense Network
Connectivity	Secure Data Link / Fiber-Optic / Radio
Network Capability	Yes (Network-Centric Operations)
Operation Mode	Autonomous / Manual / Linked

7. Operational Use

Primary Operator	China, Pakistan, Turkmenistan
Combat Proven	Limited Combat Record
Conflict History	Deployed in South China Sea, PLA Exercises
Notable Feature	Comparable to Patriot & S-300 systems

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

Technology 8 / 10
Performance 8 / 10
Operational Flexibility 8 / 10
Combat Effectiveness 8 / 10

PROS

Long-range interception up to 200 km
AESA radar with strong tracking capability
Effective against aircraft and missiles
Mobile and rapidly deployable system
Networked command and control integration

CONS

Limited real-world combat record
Heavier and slower to redeploy than lighter SAMs
Export limited due to political constraints
Less proven ECM resistance vs. Western systems
Maintenance and logistics complexity

HQ-9 Air Defense System: China’s Long-Range Shield

Developed by China’s China Academy of Defense Technology (CADT) and produced by the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC), the HQ-9 is a long-range, all-altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) system engineered to counter a wide spectrum of airborne threats. Drawing on technology from the Russian S-300 and U.S. Patriot systems, it forms the backbone of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) integrated air defense network.

Design and Capabilities

The HQ-9 combines a multi-function phased array radar with high-speed interceptor missiles capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic targets. Its active radar homing guidance and anti-jamming capabilities provide exceptional accuracy and resilience in electronic warfare environments.

The system’s maximum engagement range reaches 200 km, with an altitude ceiling of 30 km. Each HQ-9 battery includes a command vehicle, fire control radar, and mobile launchers—each carrying up to four missiles. The system can simultaneously track and engage multiple targets, supported by an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar capable of detecting targets up to 300 km away.

The upgraded HQ-9B and HQ-9C variants feature improved seekers, better electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), and network-centric warfare integration, positioning it as a credible counterpart to Western systems like the Patriot PAC-3.

HQ-9 Air Defense System Price in United States

Although the HQ-9 is not exported to the U.S., its estimated international unit cost per battery ranges from USD 500 million to 700 million, depending on configuration and variant. Comparable U.S. systems like the Patriot PAC-3 cost about USD 1 billion per battery.

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