The Hong Qi 9 or HQ-9 is a Chinese air defense missile system. It is broadly equivalent to the Russian S-300. Mozhaisky Military Space Academy in the Russian port city of St. Petersburg has designed the system and Almaz-Antei manufacturers the S-300 & the S-400.
The S-300 air defense systems include high-capability, long-range surface-to-air missiles. “Each launcher vehicle carries four missile containers (two missiles per target). A full battalion includes six launcher vehicles with a total of 24 missiles, plus command-and-control and long-range radar detection vehicles. Fires two missiles vertically within 3 seconds, making it versatile and accurate or the "cold launch" method. Although these are Russian state specifications, the PLA or PLN are similar specifications. Russian 48N6E are the standard missiles fired from S-300PMU launchers. They have a range of 5-150km (3-93 miles) at a maximum altitude of 27-30km (17-19 miles).”
Intelligence sources report that the HQ-9 was developed with Russian assistance and benefits from Russian technology transfers. It has been reported that it was adopted by the Chinese armed forces in 1997. Its export version, the FD-2000, has been exported to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan and Turkey are negotiating with China to purchase this air defense system.
HHQ-9, is a naval version of the HQ-9. It appears to be identical to the land-based variant. It is used on modern Chinese guided-missiles destroyers. These missiles are launched from vertical tubes. “The HQ-9 SAM are in place by the Chinese PLA on Woody Island, which is part of the Paracel Island chain, just east of Vietnam and west of the Philippines”.
The HQ-9 (S-300) can intercept various aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, air-to-ground missiles, guided bombs and theater ballistic missiles at medium- to long ranges. The HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system was developed much later than the Russian S-300 and incorporates advancements in the electronics. Notably it employs newer computing technology.”
“The HQ-9 uses two-stage missiles with thrust vector control. Missiles have a range of 125 km against aircraft and 15-25 km against cruise and ballistic missiles. Missiles can reach aircraft at an altitude of 27 km and cruise and ballistic missiles at an altitude of 15-25 km. The missile has inertial guidance with mid-course update and terminal active radar homing. This air defense system can perform air defense engagement in a massive air raid under intense electronic jamming. Each launcher has 4 missiles in individual containers. Missiles are launcher vertically.
A battery of HQ-9 consists of 8 TEL vehicles with missiles, mobile engagement radar based on Taian TA5570 10x10 chassis, engagement radar based on a North-Benz ND1260 series truck chassis, command and control vehicle, reloading vehicles and various support vehicles. The basic formation can be expanded into a larger formation. The HQ-9 battery can employ a wide range of radars, both search, surveillance, acquisition, tracking and fire control.
Several variations exist; namely, HQ-9A is an improved version. It was first tested in 1999 and was adopted in 2001; HQ-9B improved version with longer range and extra seeker. It was reportedly tested in 2006. The missile has a dual seeker with semi-active radar homing and infrared homing modes; and the HQ-9C improved version…incorporates active radar homing mode.”
“FT-2000 export version of the HQ-9. It is an anti-radiation missile system, intended to intercept jamming planes and air radiation sources. Missiles have passive homing. This system can engage targets at a range of up to 100 km and can reach targets at altitude of up to 20 km. The FT-2000 operates in conjunction with passive surveillance system; FD-2000 (Fang Dun 2000) export version of HQ-9. It is a long-range air defense missile system. It was first publicly revealed in 2012. This system has an extra anti-stealth capability. The FD-2000 has been exported to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Further, the HQ-19 a much upgraded version of the HQ-9. It is Chinese equivalent to the US THAAD. It was specially developed to engage ballistic missiles and satellites on lower Earth orbit. The missile is armed with kinetic kill vehicle.”
China is aggressively building landing strips and missile batteries in the 600+ miles zone that it created at its whim. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, stated,” We will deploy necessary amount of national defense facilities.” U.S. Admirals continue to shake hands with their potential and current naval adversaries while China builds out to challenge the US Pacific Fleet. It appears that the “Commander in Chief” and his politically military appointments should continue to remain pacifists during clear intentions of the Chinese Government against U.S. interest in the region. Hopefully, the HQ-9s will not crash into U.S. carriers and destroyers in the near future.
