Latest air defense missiles, laser will safeguard nation from potential attacks
China unveiled several of its latest air defense missile and laser systems at the Airshow China 2022 held in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province from Tuesday to Sunday, in a move experts said showed that China is building a world-class comprehensive air defense system that can safeguard the country’s sky from potential attacks.
Despite having been exhibited to the general public in the past, the HQ-9B surface-to-air missile weapon system of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force on display at the Airshow China featured for the first time a new type of missile in addition to the previously known one.
Eight of this new type of missile can be carried by the same transporter erector launcher that can carry four of the previously known type, as the new missile is about the same length but obviously thinner than the old one.
The new, smaller missiles are likely to be a part of the HQ9B, and likely to have a shorter range than the old and larger missiles. The smaller size allows a single transporter erector launcher to carry more of them, Wei Dongxu, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times at the Airshow site.
The larger missiles will be used to intercept targets farther away, and if remaining targets come closer, the smaller missiles can be used, Wei said. This will enhance the HQ-9B’s capability to deal with saturation attacks, he said.
Another new air defense system, the HQ-11 universal terminal defense system, made its debut at the airshow. It consists of a vehicle equipped with eight missile vertical launch cells and another vehicle equipped with a close-in gun. Both vehicles are equipped with corresponding radar systems.
Wei said that the HQ-11 is designed to cover a shorter range than the HQ-9B, but it is very fast and mobile so that it can accompany valuable assets on the move. It is like putting a vessel-based air defense system onto the land.
The Global Times also learned that another highlight of the HQ-11 is its universality, as it can be used not only by the PLA Air Force, but also the Army and the Navy. It can intercept air-to-surface missiles, guided bombs, cruise missiles and other aerial weapons like fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.