Sudan signs a defense deal with Pakistan worth $1.5 billion that includes 6-HQ and 9-HQ air defense systems
Arab Defense Website – November 4, 2025: Sudan concluded a major defense deal with Pakistan, valued at about $1.5 billion, in a move aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Sudanese army and raising its operational readiness in light of the complex security conditions that the country is going through.
The deal includes supplying Khartoum with ten K-8 “Karakorum” training and light attack aircraft, in addition to a large fleet of drones that includes about 20 “Shahbar-2” aircraft, 150 YIHA-III aircraft, 50 MR-10K aircraft, and 50 Ababeel-5 aircraft, which represents a qualitative shift in the reconnaissance and remote attack capabilities of the Sudanese Armed Forces.
The agreement also includes the supply of Chinese-made HQ-9 and HQ-6 air defense systems, to secure Sudanese airspace against potential threats, in addition to 150 modern armored combat vehicles that enhance ground power on various fronts.
This huge deal reflects Khartoum’s move towards diversifying its armament sources and modernizing its defense systems, in cooperation with Asian partners who have advanced experience in military industries, which may contribute to reshaping the balance of power in the region during the next stage.
The Chinese HQ-9 system is one of the most prominent long-range air defense systems developed by CASIC as part of Beijing’s strategy to build an integrated shield capable of confronting modern air threats. It was designed to provide multi-layered protection against combat aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles, and with the development of its modern versions, it also acquired a limited ability to intercept short-range ballistic missiles, making it an essential component of the air deterrence system of any army that adopts it.
The system relies on an advanced missile that combines an inertial guidance system during the first stage of flight and continuous updates from the command radar, before moving to a semi-active guidance mode or “tracking through the missile” in the final stage, a technology that gives the missile high accuracy in hitting targets even in environments saturated with electronic interference. The missile reaches speeds exceeding four times the speed of sound, and is equipped with a warhead weighing about 180 kilograms, capable of destroying multiple air targets, including stealth aircraft and smart munitions.
The system’s typical battery consists of a mobile command center, advanced electronically scanned search and track radars, and multiple launch units mounted on mobile vehicles capable of launching several missiles simultaneously. This configuration provides 360-degree coverage, with the ability to track dozens of targets at the same time and engage against a number of them simultaneously, making the HQ-9 a pivotal element in any integrated air defense network.
Several versions of the system have been developed, including the naval version HHQ-9, and the improved versions HQ-9A and HQ-9B, which feature a longer range and higher accuracy, in addition to the export version FD-2000, which is equipped with improved capabilities against low-radar signature aircraft. The range of the system varies depending on the model, and usually ranges between 120 and 200 kilometers, while some reports confirm that newer versions are capable of reaching much greater ranges.
The system is distinguished by its ability to operate within complex electronic warfare environments thanks to anti-jamming technologies and improved command and control systems. However, practical performance ultimately depends on the level of integration of the system with supporting radars, the efficiency of the operational crews, and the logistical infrastructure supporting them.
The importance of the HQ-9 is not limited to its military dimension only, but extends to the strategic and political dimension, as its possession is seen as an indicator of countries’ tendency towards diversifying their armament sources and relying on Chinese technology as an alternative to Western or Russian systems. Also, its deployment in any new country directly changes the defensive balance of power in its regional environment, and gives it a greater ability to protect its airspace from the increasing threats in modern arenas of conflict.
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