China Unveils HQ-19 High-Tech Air Defenses

By Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President, News   

Top-line fighter planes will have to share the spotlight with air defense systems at China’s Zhuhai air show which begins on Nov. 12. 

    China’s new HQ-19 system is making its debut there, while Russia looks to offset a dramatic drop in arms exports by making a pitch for three air defense systems – one of which Moscow claims is “faster, cheaper and more effective” than the vaunted US Patriot missile system. 

   According to China Central Television, the HQ-19 is the People Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force’s newest surface-to-air missile system, designed to intercept ballistic missile targets and to counter hypersonic glide vehicles. 

   The HQ-19’s mobile launch vehicle is equipped with six interceptor missiles that use the so-called “cold launch” process. With a cold launch, compressed air or steam is used to propel missiles into the air before the main engine is ignited.  

   In an interview with the Global Times, the Chinese Communist Party’s English-language newspaper, military expert Zhang Xuefeng called the new system is just as significant as the Chengdu J-20, China’s twin-engine stealth fighter.  

   Zhang noted that other Chinese surface-to-air missile systems, such as the HQ-9 and HQ-22, focus more on anti-aircraft missions and have less range when it comes to defending against ballistic missiles. In recent conflicts, ballistic missiles have had considerable success against conventional air defense systems. 

   Meanwhile, Russia will be at the air show displaying what the Eurasian Times called the three pillars of its air defense – the S-400, the S-350 and the Buk-M3. Moscow is trying to revive its overseas arms sales at a time when it’s tough for the country to fill export orders due to demand for weapons by its own military.