China puts upgraded HQ-9 missile system to extreme test
- A PLA red vs blue team drill allowed the testing of a newly commissioned missile system, including electromagnetic interference to challenge the missile type
- The HQ-9B is a new vertical launch, medium and long-range ground-to-air missile defence system to intercept airborne targets up to 250km
The Chinese air force has put an upgraded version of one of its most advanced air-defence missile systems to an extreme test in unfamiliar terrain, according to state media.
Observers said the exercise involving the upgraded HQ-9 system was meant to show the hardware at full stretch, as the military presses on with plans to develop a modern combat-ready force.
“[We] want to learn how to protect and maintain the new weapon system under rugged surroundings, as well as to better camouflage it and … try all efforts to fulfil our task,” air force commander Du Tao told state broadcaster CCTV.
During the exercise, a ground-to-air missile brigade of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force was deployed 500km (310 miles) to unfamiliar territory for a simulated confrontation between red and blue armies.
Using the missile system, the brigade knocked down four target drones with four shots, CCTV reported.
The exercises were reportedly conducted with stealth under the joint operations of different combat units, including the air-defence missile battalion and strategic support troops equipped with early-warning radar and electronic surveillance systems.