HQ-9

The HQ-9 development program started in the 1970s, with full-scale development beginning in the late-1980s. According to Western analysts, the HQ-9 is "equivalent" to or a derivative of the Russian S-300, which China started importing in 1993. The TVM used on earlier missiles may have been developed from a United States MIM-104 Patriot missile purchased from Israel or Germany. ==Variants==

; Air defense • ' — Original variant. NATO reporting name: CH-SA-9'. • '''''' — Naval surface-launched variant. • '''''' — Improved version with a range of up to 260 km and added passive infrared seeker. The HQ-9C also has slimmer missiles compared to the regular HQ-9, with each vehicle capable of carrying eight interceptors. • '''''' — Naval surface-launched variant of the HQ-9C. – Anti-ballistic missile variant, reportedly designed to counter medium-range ballistic missiles. It targets ballistic missiles in their midcourse and terminal phases, and it is comparable to the US THAAD. The missile may have "begun preliminary operations" by 2018. May use the HT-233 target-acquisition radar, ==Foreign interest==

Turkey The HQ-9 was a contender in Turkey's T-LORAMIDS program, and it was reportedly selected as the winner in September 2013. The United States responded by blocking funds to integrate the Chinese system into NATO defenses. However, through 2013 there was no confirmation that the deal had been finalized. In February 2015, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was informed by the Ministry of National Defence that the evaluation of bids was complete and that the chosen system would be used by Turkey without integration with NATO; the system was not explicitly named. However, other Turkish officials reported that no winner had been selected. Later in the month, Turkish officials revealed that negotiations were ongoing with multiple bidders; the Chinese bid had not yet satisfied requirements concerning technology transfer. In March 2015, a China Daily article reported that it was "well-known that the Chinese FD-2000 system, a HQ-9 model for export, was chosen for the contract with Turkey in 2013" based on comments made by a CPMIEC representative at the 2015 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition; the article was misleadingly called "Missile sale to Turkey confirmed." In November 2015, Turkey confirmed it would not purchase the HQ-9, opting for an indigenously developed system instead. Iran In late-2025 after the Twelve-Day War in June, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly claimed that Iran had received the HQ-9. In July, the Chinese embassy to Israel denied that China was supplying Iran with surface-to-air missiles. Reports of the HQ-9 in Iranian service may be Iranian disinformation. ==Operating history==

China China has deployed HQ-9s near or in disputed territory. Missiles were deployed in July 2015 to Hotan in Xinjiang, close to Kashmir across the Line of Actual Control, and in February 2016 to Woody Island in the disputed South China Sea. The naval variant, the HHQ-9, was deployed by the PLAN by 2009. It was first carried by the Type 052C destroyer. Pakistan The Pakistan Army operates the HQ-9/P variant. Negotiations for the purchase of the HQ-9 and HQ-16 by Pakistan began in early 2015. The system officially entered service on October 14, 2021. and may have shot down Indian aircraft on May 7. ==Operators==

; • Azerbaijan received a Chinese FD-2000B (HQ-9B) air-defense system as of November 2025. ; China • People's Liberation Army Air Force - 196 HQ-9, 96 HQ-9B as of 2024 • People's Liberation Army Navy ; • Egyptian Air Defense Forces - In 2025, Middle East Monitor reported that, according to Israeli media, Egypt had received the HQ-9B. ; • Pakistan Army ; • Turkmen Air Force ; • Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces ==See also==