The Chinese H-9 system for long-range air defense, inspired by the Russian S-300 with American and Israeli effects, with a range of up to 300 km and multiple copies of air defense to anti-ballistic missiles and export.
HQ-9 is one of the most prominent long-term air defense systems developed by the People’s Republic of China. This system relies on surface-to-air rockets directed to the semi-active radar, and its first version entered the service in 2001 before it was later subject to a series of ongoing updates and developments.
The H-9 is a developed version of the Russian S-300 system. Military researcher Justin Bronk believes that it represents a “hybrid design based on the Russian SA-20 missile, but it uses a radar, head of researcher, leadership systems and control that is strongly inspired by American and Israeli technology.” The first copies of the missile are characterized by its ability to use the TRACK-Via-Missile router, which combines the interior guidance of the missile with ground router systems, giving it a much higher accuracy.
According to a report published by a magazine Defence International In 2001, the missile is 6.8 meters long, and its weight is approximated by tinnitus, while the diameter of its first stage is 700 mm and the second is 560 mm. As for the weight of his war head, it reaches 180 kg, and its top speed reaches 4.2 Mach. As in his Russian counterpart, HQ-9 depends on the cold launch style. In addition, the system can take advantage of other Chinese air defense control radars.
A single battery usually consists of a driving center, a 3D search radar with an active electronic scanner that works on the S and detection radar, in addition to six to eight mobile bombers (TEL). In its first version, each bomber carries four launch pipes, providing 24 to 32 missiles ready for use in one battery. But some subsequent copies appeared and are equipped with six or even eight tubes. The radar allows monitoring and tracking 100 goals at one time, with the possibility of clashing with between 6 and 8 goals in parallel, according to the approved equipment.
HC-9 copies
The H-9 system branches into several different copies, depending on the tasks and developments. The basic version is HQ-9, while a marine version dedicated to launch from ships known as HHQ-9 was produced. Another version bearing the name HQ-9A was also developed, underwent initial experiences in 1999 and officially entered the service in 2001. The latest version HQ-9B was reinforced with a range of up to 300 km with the addition of an infrared system, and it underwent field tests in February 2006. There is also an anti-radiation version known as FK-20000.
On the defense level against ballistic missiles and satellites, the HQ-19 version, which was specially designed to intercept ballistic missiles in its middle and final stages, and compares its performance to the American Thaad system. Reports indicate that this version has already started implementing “initial operations” by 2018.
As for the export versions, it included the FD-20000 model with a range of 125 km, and the equipped with a negative YLC-20 to meet the ghost targets, with the ability to merge it with other radars such as HT-233 for acquisition, or Type 120 low-height, or AESA search radar of Type 305A. A special version of Pakistan, which was named HQ-9/P, was also developed with a range of at least 125 km, especially for intercepting Cruise missiles.
International attention
Türkiye: HC-9 entered the competition within the Turkish Air Defense program T-Loramids, and it was announced that it won the tender in September 2013. However, the United States objected and refused to finance its integration into the NATO defense network. Until early 2013 there was no official confirmation about the conclusion of the deal. In February 2015, the Turkish Ministry of Defense informed Parliament that the evaluation process ended and that the chosen system would be used locally without its inclusion in the NATO system, without mentioning its name. But other Turkish officials indicated that the final decision has not yet been decided. Later, Ankara explained that the Chinese offer did not meet the requirements of technology. In March 2015 published China Daily A misleading story “Confirmation of the sale of missiles to Turkey”, in which he relied on the statements of the representative of CPMIEC at Lankawi, claiming that the FD-20000 system was actually chosen in 2013. In November 2015, Turkey officially announced its retreat from the purchase of HQ-9 in favor of developing a local system.
Iran: In July 2025, after the outbreak of the Iran-Israeli war, unconfirmed reports appeared stating that Tehran entered into talks with Beijing to acquire HQ-9B systems to strengthen its air defense network, but there was no official confirmation of this information.
Operational history
China: In July 2015, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army deployed HQ-9 systems near Kashmir, along the “actual control line” with India, in anticipation of the possibility of a border dispute. These systems were stationed at the Hitian Air Force Base in the southern Shinjiang region, just 260 km from Kashmir. According to a magazine Can Defense Review Issued in Canada in Chinese, radar vehicles of the system were monitored at al -Qaeda, where it was estimated that they were published specifically to protect the western borders of China from any possible air attack by the Indian Air Force.
On February 17, 2016, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense announced that it had “discovered the deployment of an air defense missile system” by China on the island of Woody (Yongching) of the Paraceel Islands in the South China Sea. Although the statement did not specify the number of missiles or the timing of its deployment, it is clear that it was able to target civilian and military planes belonging to Vietnam or the Philippines. The American Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Harry Harris, confirmed the news to the agency ReutersAnd he considered the move “militarized to the South China Sea” in violation of a previous commitment to Chinese President Xi Jinping not to take such steps.
Publishing in the South China Sea: Japanese Secretary -General of the Japanese Cabinet, the Secretary -General of the Japanese Council of Ministers, expressed “great concern” about “China’s attempt to change the unilateral situation in the region,” stressing that Tokyo “cannot accept this.” Single satellite photos showed scenes close to the Woody/Yongching Island showing the presence of two missile batteries, each of which includes four slander and two controlling vehicles. According to a media report, it seemed that two of these bombs appeared to be erected. While it was transferred Fox News On the authority of the US Department of Defense, the HQ-9 missiles are estimated at an estimated 200 km.
Pakistan: Pakistan is one of the most prominent operators of the HQ-9/P version. Negotiations with China began to acquire the HQ-9 and HQ-16 systems in early 2015, and these missiles were officially entered into the Pakistani army on October 14, 2020.
System operators
| State | The operator | Issue / notes |
|---|---|---|
 The People’s Republic of China | – The Air Force for the Popular Liberation Army: 240 units in service (2023)- Chinese navy: 16 units in service (2023) | Main local system |
 Morocco | The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces obtained the FD-2000B version | The numbers were not revealed |
 Turkmenistan | Turkmen Air Force | Unanimously |
 Uzbekistan | Uzbek Air Force and Air Force | Unanimously |
 Pakistan | – The Pakistani army- the Pakistani Air Force | HQ-9/P version |
 Algeria | The People’s National Army | Unanimously |
 Egypt | The Egyptian Air Defense Forces contracted the latest version HQ-9B | Unanimously |
The HC-9 article appeared .. China’s missile shield first range on the Arab Defense site.
