The Central Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has confirmed, through recent images, the deployment of a new variant of the HQ-9B long-range air defense system. This updated version features a new configuration, with launchers capable of carrying a smaller and lighter class of surface-to-air missiles, allowing for up to eight missiles per launcher, compared to the previous maximum of four larger missiles.
According to the Global Times, these new, smaller missiles are designed for engaging shorter-range targets, complementing the longer-range missiles and providing additional layers of protection. This evolution highlights the HQ-9B’s capability to adapt to different threats, emphasizing its flexibility and effectiveness.
The HQ-9B, widely regarded as one of the most advanced surface-to-air missile systems globally, has undergone rigorous testing by the PLA Air Force (PLAAF). In a May 2021 exercise, a brigade of surface-to-air missiles was deployed 500 kilometers to an unfamiliar terrain, where an upgraded version of the HQ-9 was tested under harsh conditions, including darkness, cold, and sandstorms. During this exercise, the brigade successfully intercepted four unmanned aerial vehicles using four shots, demonstrating the system’s precision and capability.
The HQ-9B is the most widely produced long-range surface-to-air missile system outside of Russia. Similar to its Russian counterpart, the S-400, the HQ-9B emphasizes high mobility, with missiles, radars, and command units deployed on mobile trucks to enhance combat survivability.
Additionally, the HQ-9B has proven successful in the international market, being exported to countries like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, and reportedly to Morocco. Serbia also chose a lighter version, the HQ-22, despite Western pressure to acquire NATO-standard systems.
With a range of 250 kilometers, the HQ-9B can target areas of nearly 200,000 square kilometers, featuring 360-degree radar coverage and a cold-launch system that allows for engagement in all directions. This capability, along with improvements in sensors and data links, marks a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the HQ-9A, which entered service around 2000-2001.
The HQ-9B has also been strategically deployed in key areas such as the Fiery Cross, Subi, and Mischief Reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. This deployment has been interpreted as a strong signal of China’s readiness and capability to defend its territorial claims in the region.
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