China’s new HQ-19 surface-to-air missile system aims to rival US THAAD with advanced interception capabilities.

As reported by David Wang on November 5, 2024, the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile system, also known as Hongqi-19, will be presented to the public for the first time at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow. This Chinese-developed anti-ballistic missile (ABM) interceptor is designed to engage ballistic missile threats both within and beyond the atmosphere, comparable in concept to the U.S. THAAD-ER system. Although this is its first public display, the HQ-19 is already in operational use by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and has previously appeared in reports.
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Observers have noted that the HQ-19 may serve as a countermeasure against ballistic missiles in the South Asian region, particularly against systems such as India’s Agni-4 and Agni-5. (Picture source: Twitter/David Wang)

The HQ-19 system is built on an 8x8 high-mobility truck, featuring a six-missile launcher configuration. It employs a cold-launch mechanism at a steep angle, which enables it to intercept incoming ballistic missiles effectively. The system’s radar technology, including the 610A information radar, is reported to detect targets at ranges up to approximately 4,000 kilometers, covering areas from northern South Asia to China’s inland regions, such as the Tibetan Plateau. The HQ-19’s command-and-control system integrates this radar data to enhance target tracking and interception.

Development of the HQ-19 dates back to the late 1990s as part of China’s 863 Program, which prioritized advancements in high-tech defense capabilities. The HQ-19’s guidance system includes an infrared seeker with side windows, designed to reduce atmospheric interference and provide accurate targeting at high altitudes. The missile is powered by a two-stage solid rocket engine, incorporating carbon-fiber construction and the N-15B solid propellant. This configuration delivers a specific impulse of 260 seconds, supporting high maneuverability for intercepting warheads in motion. The missile’s engine design features a double-pulse capability, which reportedly improves terminal kinetic effectiveness and extends the missile’s operational range. Enhanced by innovations in composite materials, this configuration allows the missile to maneuver at forces of up to 60g during interception.

The HQ-19’s intercept range reportedly spans up to 3,000 kilometers, allowing it to engage ballistic missiles within that range, including their reentry warheads. The system’s kinetic kill warhead places it among the few systems globally equipped with such a mechanism, alongside the U.S.’s kinetic kill vehicles (KKV). China achieved early capability in kinetic kill technology, reportedly completing a successful test flight in 1999, making it the second nation to develop this approach after the U.S. Multiple tests have validated the HQ-19’s functionality, including an interception at over 200 kilometers altitude and relative speeds of up to 10,000 meters per second. In February 2021, China’s Ministry of National Defense reported a trial that confirmed the HQ-19 met all expectations. China has conducted several such tests from 2010 to 2021, emphasizing their defensive nature and stating that the system is not directed at any specific country.

The HQ-19's display at the airshow may also indicate its availability for potential export, with markets in regions such as the Middle East possibly being a focus. China’s defense industry has shown interest in expanding its customer base beyond key clients like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, aiming to establish a larger footprint in emerging markets. The HQ-19’s capabilities in missile interception may present an option for countries seeking similar defense systems. This approach reflects China’s broader interest in strengthening its military export sector alongside its global economic reach, with defense cooperation viewed as an avenue for building closer bilateral ties.

In addition to the HQ-19, China’s ballistic missile defense framework includes complementary systems like the HQ-9 and HQ-26. The HQ-26, with its multi-pulse solid motor, is designed to enhance terminal kinetic performance, extending its range and allowing it to target a variety of missile threats. The HQ-19’s phased array radar, intended to work in concert with these systems, offers early warning capabilities that support multi-layered missile defense. The system’s radar coverage and intercept capabilities also position it as a countermeasure against potential regional threats, including ballistic missile systems from neighboring countries.

Overall, the HQ-19 exemplifies a continuation of China’s efforts to advance its missile defense capabilities. The system’s comparison with the U.S. THAAD and SM-3 systems has garnered interest, and its reported abilities may impact regional security dynamics. Observers have noted that the HQ-19 may serve as a countermeasure against ballistic missiles in the South Asian region, particularly against systems such as India’s Agni-4 and Agni-5. By unveiling the HQ-19 at this airshow, China underscores its strategic emphasis on expanding its missile defense capabilities in response to shifting global power structures and regional security concerns.