OVERVIEW:  The HQ-9A aka Hong Qi-9 ('Red Banner-9') SAM battalion is a road mobile, medium-to-long range, active radar homing, surface-to-air missile air defense unit, intended to provide strategic area defense of fixed targets against airborne targets and cruise missiles.

DETAILS:   The HQ-9 provides medium-long range defense against aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, air-to-ground missiles, guided bombs and theater ballistic missiles at medium- to long ranges.

The HQ-9 battery can employ a wide range of radars, both search, surveillance, acquisition, tracking and fire control to detect different targets, including ballistic missiles and stealth targets.  The HQ-9 SAM battalion consists of eight (8) TEL vehicles, each with four (4) missiles.  Additionally, the unit has a search/acquisition radar such as the Type 305B or YLC-2V and Type 120 low altitude acquisition radar, an engagement radar such as the HT-233 or H-200 engagement radar, a command and control vehicle, reloading vehicles and various support vehicles.  


The system is capable of tracking some 100 airborne targets and the radar system can simultaneously guide up to 16 missiles against targets. A typical engagement begins with the detection of the target by the acquisition radar. Similar to the HQ-9's 5V55K predecessor, the HQ-9A missile may have a 15 second preparation cycle before firing.  The battery can fire a missile every 3-5 seconds.  After the cold launch from the TEL, an on-board inertial navigation system guides the missile until it is captured by the tracking-and-guidance system.  At this point, the command guidance system takes over, and directs the missile towards its target.  The HQ-9 uses track-via-missile (TVM) technology for terminal guidance. 

Specifications:

Maximum Acquisition Range: 	(Dependent on search radar) 
Maximum Tracking Range:	        (Dependent on search radar)
Engagement Envelope:		2-80 nm (range); 30-80,000 ft (altitude)
Max Target Speed: 		2650 knts 
Kill Probability:		0.9 (aircraft)
Reload Time:		?? minutes
Mobility:			road mobile
System reaction time	10 seconds
Emplacement/Displacement:	30+ minutes.
  

NOTES:  IOC: 2001.  The HQ-9 is based extensively on the Russian S-300 PMU system.  Export version is the FD-2000 and has been exported to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
 

SOURCES: Jane's Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defense, "HQ-9/FT-2000" 28 December 2016; "Hong Qi 9 (HQ-9) Air Defence Missile System, China." Army Technology | Land Defence News & Views Updated Daily. Last modified May 28, 2021. https://www.army-technology.com/projects/hong-qi-9-hq-9-air-defence-missile-system/.; 
"HQ-9 Long-Range Air Defense Missile System | Military-Today.com." MILITARY TODAY - Everything About Modern Warfare. Accessed September 23, 2021. https://www.military-today.com/missiles/hq9.htm. ; "HQ-9 – Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance." Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance – Making the World a Safer Place. Accessed September 23, 2021. https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china/china-anti-access-area-denial/hq-9/. ; Administrator. "HQ-9 Ground-to-air Medium Range Air Defense Missile System Data | China Chinese Army Missile Systems Vehicles | Chinese China Army Military Equipment Armoured UK." Defense News Security Global Military Army Equipment Technology Industry - Army Recognition. Last modified April 14, 2021. https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_army_missile_systems_vehicles/hq-9_ground-to-air_medium_range_air_defense_missile_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures.html. ;"Ancile." Ancile. Accessed September 23, 2021. https://www.deagel.com/Defensive%20Weapons/HQ-9/a001833. ; Kopp, Dr C. "PLA Area Defence Missile Systems." Air Power Australia. Accessed September 23, 2021. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-PLA-IADS-SAMs.html. ; Pike, John. "HQ-9." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified January 8, 2021. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/hq-9.htm ; dministrator. "HQ-9 Ground-to-air Medium Range Air Defense Missile System Data | China Chinese Army Missile Systems Vehicles | Chinese China Army Military Equipment Armoured UK." Defense News Security Global Military Army Equipment Technology Industry - Army Recognition. Last modified April 14, 2021. https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_army_missile_systems_vehicles/hq-9_ground-to-air_medium_range_air_defense_missile_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures.html.