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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

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The HQ-9B ground-to-air missile defence system was ready to shoot targeting drones during the drills. Photo: CCTV

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.

A ground-to-air missile brigade of the PLA Air Force spent three days and nights travelling to unfamiliar terrain to test the upgraded HQ-9B air defence missile systems. Photo: CCTV
A ground-to-air missile brigade of the PLA Air Force spent three days and nights travelling to unfamiliar terrain to test the upgraded HQ-9B air defence missile systems. Photo: CCTV

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.

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