New HQ-11 ‘Universal’ Air Defense System Presented at Airshow China 2022

Among several weapons that made its debut at Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai were air defense systems, including the HQ-11 universal terminal defense system.

China’s semi-official Global Times reported that the HQ-11 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.

The 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.

Wei Dongxu, a Chinese military expert, was quoted as saying by the outlet 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.

Other new air defense systems showcased in Zhuhai

China also for the first time unveiled its fourth-generation advanced air defense equipment, the HQ-16FE mid- to long-range air defense missile weapon system. Developed by the Eighth Academy of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the system's transporter erector launcher can carry six missiles at a time.

The HQ-16FE can intercept multiple types of targets including manned aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles in a very intelligent and aggressive manner.

Compared with its predecessors, the HQ-16FE has a longer range and a stronger anti-deception capability, the Global Times learned from its maker.

Together with the air defense missiles, a type of vehicle-mounted tactical laser weapon of the PLA Air Force also made its debut at the airshow. It is a new type of combat force that targets low, slow, small targets like drones.

It engages targets at the speed of light, is highly precise, can control its damage output, has low operational cost and can conduct missions extensively. It can either operate alone or form a network of multiple vehicles, or become a part of a larger air defense weapon system.

China’s HQ-9B armed with new type of missile

China’s HQ-9B weapon system was displayed at Airshow China carrying a new type of missile in addition to the previously known one.

The HQ-9B is a mid- to long-range surface-to-air missile weapon system of a new generation used to intercept cluster assaults and aerial weapons under strong electromagnetic interference.

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 HQ-9B, 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 said.

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.