Chinese state media has released footage of a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) air defense exercise conducted in a simulated urban environment.
The training scenario featured the HQ-16 surface-to-air missile system and the HQ-6A close-range defense system, including both the HQ-64 missile launcher and the LD-2000 close-in weapon system.
The footage, shared by defense analyst Jesus Roman, shows PLA vehicles positioned at intersections under camouflage netting, simulating operations in urban terrain while protecting critical infrastructure.
The training was covered by China’s CCTV-7 military channel and framed as a complex, multi-domain exercise designed to test rapid target acquisition, electromagnetic countermeasures, and coordinated engagement.
1/2 🇨🇳PLA Air Defense unit training in a simulated urban environment with their HQ-16 SAM & HQ-6A system (the HQ-64 missile launcher & the LD-2000 (based on the Type 730) CWIS are clearly visible here) protecting infrastructure pic.twitter.com/OCZ1bTfsMi
— Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) June 3, 2025
The HQ-16, developed jointly with Russian assistance on the BUK platform, is a medium-range SAM platform designed to intercept incoming threats at distances up to 70 km. The HQ-6A system, which pairs the HQ-64 short-range missile launcher with the LD-2000 gun-based CIWS (derived from the Type 730 system), is intended to engage low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles at close range.
The footage depicts a coordinated defensive layout involving road junction coverage, radar deployment, and overlapping missile and gun systems under concealment. While the broadcast did not disclose the location or duration of the exercise, the configuration suggests a scenario where mobility, EW resilience, and fast engagement timelines are critical.