Chinese missile brigade tests HQ-16 medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems

Chinese missile brigade tests HQ-16 medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems at an undisclosed region in northwest China.

The HQ-16 medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems attached to a missile brigade under the PLA 41st Group Army fire surface-to-air missiles at simulated targets during the live-fire training at an undisclosed region in northwest China on Sept. 6, 2016.

The live-fire training aims to test the performance of the HQ-16.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

This is a land based version of the HQ-16 system used in ships (and fired from VLS (Vertical Launch System) containers.

Specifications:
Property Value
Missile length
5 m
Maximum range of fire
40 km
Maximum altitude of fire
18 km

The HQ16A (LY-80) missile can intercept an aerial flying target from an 15 m to 18 km of altitude, while its maximum interception range for combat aircraft is 40km, and between 3.5 km and 12 km for cruise missiles flying at an altitude of 50 meters at a speed of 300 meters/second.

Single-shot kill probability is a claimed figure of 85 per cent against combat aircraft, and 60 per cent against cruise missiles. The missile guidance system is of the composite type, comprising initial independent inertial guidance and intermittent illumination and semi-active homing terminal guidance.

HQ-16 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system
HQ-16 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system
HQ-16 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system
HQ-16 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system

Readers who wish to follow our weekly coverage can subscribe to the Weekly Defense Roundup.

If you wish to report a grammatical or factual error in this article, please let us know by using the online form.

Executive Editor

Support The Defence Blog

Independent reporting takes resources. Join us on Patreon.

Become a patron

More Like This

Azerbaijan confirms JF-17 jets are officially in service

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense confirmed on July 6 that the country's air force has begun operating JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, releasing a video showing...

U.S. personnel spotted at Taiwan special forces base

A steady flow of American personnel moving in and out of Wuhan Camp in Longtan, Taoyuan, some driving civilian rental cars and others on...

China fires submarine nuclear missile into Pacific

A Chinese Navy submarine fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, and Tokyo says it "strongly urged" Beijing to call...

Seoul protests China-Russia aircraft entering its air defense zone

South Korean Air Force fighters scrambled on June 27, 2026, after nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft successively entered and exited the Korea...

China accuses Japan of simulating attacks on carrier Liaoning

Japanese warships and aircraft conducted simulated attacks against China's aircraft carrier Liaoning during its 40-day deployment to the South China Sea and Western Pacific...