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Tajikistan Debuts Chinese-Made HQ-17AE Air Defense System During Armed Forces Anniversary Parade.
Tajikistan publicly showcased its newly acquired HQ-17AE short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system for the first time during a military parade celebrating the country’s 32nd anniversary of its Armed Forces on 23 February 2025. Four combat vehicles and two transporter-loader vehicles were on display, demonstrating Tajikistan’s latest efforts to modernize its air defense capabilities and highlighting growing military cooperation with China.
Tajikistan unveiled its newly acquired HQ-17AE short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system for the first time during a parade marking the 32nd anniversary of its Armed Forces. (Picture source: Tajikistani MoD)
Tajikistan unveiled its newly acquired HQ-17AE short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system for the first time during a parade marking the 32nd anniversary of its Armed Forces. The display of four combat vehicles and two transporter-loader vehicles underscores the country’s efforts to modernize its air defense and highlights its growing military cooperation with China.
The HQ-17AE is a short-range surface-to-air weapon system designed to operate in all weather conditions and capable of intercepting targets flying at low and medium altitude. Developed by the Second Academy of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), it is an export version of the HQ-17A, itself derived from the Russian Tor system.
Like all members of the HQ-17 family, the HQ-17AE is primarily intended to counter SHORAD (“Short-Range Air Defense”) threats such as aircraft, helicopters, and drones, as well as precision-guided munitions (guided bombs, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles). Chinese official sources indicate that it can also engage more challenging targets such as stealth aircraft, supersonic cruise missiles, and certain types of rockets.
The HQ-17 range includes multiple variants: tracked versions (HQ-17) and 6×6 wheeled versions (HQ-17A), both operated by the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force, as well as an export version called the FM-2000, revealed for the first time at the 2018 Airshow China defense exhibition. It remains unclear whether the HQ-17AE is simply a new designation for the FM-2000 or whether it is a distinct variant featuring a launcher-radar vehicle more closely aligned with the HQ-17A. In any case, the difference between the HQ-17A and the FM-2000 mainly lies in the 6×6 chassis, although both systems use the same firing turret.
In addition to Tajikistan, the HQ-17 series has been exported to countries including Serbia and Saudi Arabia, reflecting China’s growing footprint in the global defense market. This acquisition is part of a broader regional trend: neighboring Uzbekistan has also procured Chinese-made air defense systems such as the FM-90 and the KS-1C. By adding the HQ-17AE to its arsenal, Tajikistan signals a shift toward Chinese defense technology to strengthen its national security and enhance its overall deterrence posture.