Advertisement
China’s military
ChinaMilitary

China showcases latest Hongqi missile defence systems at Zhuhai air show

  • The weapons on display are a cheaper version of the US THAAD defensive system, analysts say
  • Military observers say they believe the systems are designed for export

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
5
An HQ-16FE air defence system. Photo: Handuot
Minnie Chan
The Chinese military put its latest air defence equipment on display at the country’s leading air show over the weekend.
Two Hongqi, or Red Flag, weapons systems designed to shoot down missiles, aircraft and drones were on show at the biannual Airshow China in Zhuhai, which finished on Sunday.

Military analysts said the two systems were low-cost equivalents to the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile shield and were designed for export.

Advertisement

The first defence system, the HQ-11, was put on display by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, one of the key sponsors of the air show. The other system, the HQ-16FE operated by the PLA’s ground force, has an operational range up to 160km (100 miles).

During the air show the PLA’s Central Theatre Command also released a video showing an unidentified air defence system that it said was protecting the capital Beijing from attack.

Song Zhongping, a former instructor for the PLA Rocket Force, said the increasing tensions between Beijing and Washington highlighted the need for China to develop its own version of the THAAD system.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x