Azerbaijan receives China’s latest HQ-9BE air defense missile system ahead of military parade.

Azerbaijan has now become the fourth operator of China’s new HQ-9BE long-range air defense system, as shown  by a leaked video footage from Baku’s military parade preparations.

As reported by Ricardo JR on November 4, 2025, leaked nighttime footage during preparations for an upcoming military parade in Baku showed at least two HQ-9BE transporter-erector-launchers, confirming that Azerbaijan has obtained the Chinese long-range surface-to-air missile system. This makes Azerbaijan the fourth confirmed operator of the HQ-9BE after Morocco, Pakistan, and Egypt. The system’s appearance indicates that at least one complete battery is ready for presentation and possible deployment. These systems are expected to replace or complement Azerbaijan’s S-300PMU-2 units, expanding engagement range and strengthening the country’s long-range air defense.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The HQ-9BE is the newest export variant of China’s HQ-9 air defense system, and could intercept multiple types of aerial targets, including aircraft, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles with ranges up to 1,000 kilometers. (Picture source: X/Ricardo JR)

The HQ-9BE, also known as the FD-2000, is the newest export variant of China’s HQ-9 air defense system, designed to intercept multiple types of aerial targets, including aircraft, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles with ranges up to 1,000 kilometers. It has an operational range of up to 250 kilometers, an interception slant range between 5 and 260 kilometers, and a flight ceiling of 50 kilometers. The missile’s speed exceeds Mach 4, using semi-active radar homing guidance and datalink updates for precision. Each launcher can guide 16 missiles to intercept up to 8 targets simultaneously. The HQ-9BE is characterized by strong anti-jamming ability, enabling continued operation in complex electronic environments. The system can also command and control other air defense weapons to form an integrated multi-layer air defense system, acting as both an interceptor and a coordination platform within broader defense networks.

The launcher and support vehicles are built on the Taian Special Vehicle Company’s TA580/TAS5380 8×8 heavy truck chassis. The platform has a rated payload capacity of 20 tons, measures 11 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 3 meters high, and is powered by a 517-horsepower turbocharged Deutz diesel engine. It offers an operational range of 800 kilometers and a maximum road speed of 80 kilometers per hour. Each transporter-erector-launcher carries four vertically launched missiles using cold ejection, allowing 360-degree coverage and fast response. Variants such as the TA5382 with a double cabin can carry rocket systems like the WM-80 or WM-120, while the 10×10 TA5501 version improves stability and payload handling. This shared chassis family enables efficient logistics and standardization across units and supports rapid mobility to avoid pre-emptive targeting or to redeploy across defense zones.

The HQ-9BE was first presented internationally at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi, where it was displayed by Chinese defense manufacturers Norinco and CATIC. The system’s modular configuration, long range, and strong electronic resilience attracted interest from several regions. The HQ-9BE was developed for export by the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC) as part of China’s broader strategy to enhance its international defense exports. It followed earlier versions such as the FD-2000 and FD-2000B, which had an export range of 125 to 250 kilometers. Each HQ-9BE regiment is estimated to cost around $1.5 billion, making it less expensive than comparable U.S. Patriot or Russian S-400 systems while offering similar engagement envelopes and without political or operational restrictions. These cost factors and technical performance make the HQ-9BE an increasingly attractive option for countries seeking to modernize their air defense infrastructure.

In Pakistan, the HQ-9BE serves as the long-range component of a multi-layered air defense network that also includes the HQ-16FE and LY-80. Its deployment expanded Pakistan’s ability to detect and engage aerial targets beyond its borders, protecting key installations near Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Egypt officially confirmed its integration of the HQ-9B variant into its air defense network in July 2025, covering areas such as the Suez Canal and Red Sea approaches. The system is positioned alongside the Russian Tor-M2 and Buk-M2, as well as the German IRIS-T SLM. Morocco operates four FD-2000B batteries purchased in 2016, with deliveries completed in 2020. Azerbaijan’s acquisition now extends the system’s export footprint into the South Caucasus, marking China’s first confirmed long-range missile sale to the region and potentially influencing the local air defense balance between Azerbaijan and neighboring states.

For Azerbaijan, the HQ-9BE provides long-range interception capability, reinforcing its defensive coverage over Baku, the Caspian coastline, and strategic energy infrastructure. Integration with existing Buk-MB and Tor-M2KM systems would establish a fully layered architecture capable of engaging threats across different altitude bands and distances. The mobility of the Taian launcher allows relocation and flexible deployment, ensuring survivability in contested conditions. The system’s multi-target engagement capability enables simultaneous defense against manned aircraft, drones, and incoming missiles, while the electronic counter-countermeasure package strengthens performance in electronic warfare environments. The HQ-9BE’s range and altitude coverage exceed that of most regional systems, potentially replacing older S-300 elements while maintaining interoperability with legacy command centers. These characteristics suggest that Azerbaijan is investing in greater autonomy and flexibility for national airspace defense.

The HQ-9BE’s adoption by four nations within a short period reflects China’s expanding export influence in high-end missile systems. Morocco, Pakistan, Egypt, and now Azerbaijan have integrated it into national networks as the upper layer of multi-tiered air defense structures. The system’s two-stage solid-fuel missile, Mach 4+ performance, 50 km engagement ceiling, and 260 km maximum slant range define its operational envelope. A standard fire unit includes command, radar, power supply, and launcher vehicles capable of rapid deployment and redeployment. The HQ-9BE combines Chinese radar and guidance technologies with design elements originally influenced by both the Russian S-300 and the American Patriot. While the system has not yet been used in combat, its expanding list of operators, broad performance parameters, and regiment-level price near $1.5 billion indicate growing acceptance among states seeking reliable, long-range air defense without dependency on Western suppliers.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.