HQ-22
| HQ-22 / FK-3 | |
|---|---|
 Serbian Armed Forces FK-3 (export version of HQ-22) | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019–present |
| Used by | See § Operators |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Engine | Rocket motor |
| Propellant | Solid fuel[1] |
Operational range | HQ-22: 170 kilometres (110 mi) FK-3: 100 kilometres (62 mi) |
Guidance system | Semi-active radar homing/radio-command guidance |
Launch platform | Ground |
The HQ-22 (simplified Chinese: 红旗-22; traditional Chinese: 紅旗-22; pinyin: Hóng Qí-22; lit. 'Red Banner-22') is a medium- to long-range semi-active radar homing/radio-command guidance air defence system developed and manufactured in China.[1]
Description
The HQ-22 air defence system is a second generation development of the HQ-12 missile.[2] It is intended as a low-cost replacement for the HQ-2.[1]
The missile is "wingless" compared to the preceding HQ-12.[2] The missile uses semi-active radar guidance to reduce cost, and may switch to radio command guidance in an environment with "strong electronic interference".[1]
A HQ-22 unit includes six to eight transporter erector launchers, each with four missiles.[1] The radar vehicle reportedly permits six targets to be engaged simultaneously.[3][4]
The missile system has been widely compared to the United States' Patriot and Russia's mobile long range S-300 surface-to-air missile system. Although it has a shorter range than S-300 variants such as the S-300PMU-2, it is thought to benefit from superior electronic countermeasures (ECM) and superior capabilities against stealth targets at shorter ranges.[4]
Variants
- HQ-22: Chinese domestic variant with speed of Mach 6 and a range of 170 kilometres (110 mi).[1]
- FK-3: Export variant with speed of Mach 6 and a maximum range of 100 kilometres (62 mi).[1]
History
The HQ-22 was publicly revealed at the 2016 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.[1]
The HQ-22 entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) by 2019.[5]
Serbia purchased the FK-3, the export variant, in 2019; they were delivered by PLAAF Xi'an Y-20 transport aircraft and entered service in April 2022.[6] They were the first Chinese medium- or long-range air defence system exported to Europe.[7]
In April 2021, India reported that China had deployed the HQ-22 near eastern Ladakh.[8]
Operators
- People's Liberation Army Air Force - 130+ HQ-22[9]
- Serbian Air Force and Air Defence - 4 FK-3[10]
- Air and Coastal Defense Command - 3 FK-3[11]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kajal, Kapil (3 February 2023). "Royal Thai Navy unveils FK-3 air-defence system". Janes. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Serbia Orders Chinese Air Defense System". DefenseWorld.net. 4 August 2020. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Chaudhary, Smriti (4 August 2020). "Did Russian S-400s Got Dumped for Chinese Air Defence System by an Aspiring EU Nation?". The EurAsian Times. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Serbia's New Chinese HQ-22 Missile System to Revolutionise Air Defence Capabilities". Military Watch Magazine. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2019). The Military Balance 2019. London: Routledge. p. 262. ISBN 978-1857439885.
- ^ Bozinovski, Igor (6 May 2022). "Serbia unveils Chinese-made FK-3 air defence system". Janes. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Kastner, Jens (12 October 2023). "Serbia relies on China for weapons as tensions with Kosovo rise". Nikkei.
- ^ "India closely watching Chinese air defence batteries deployed near LAC". The Economic Times. Asian News International. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2024, p. 260.
- ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2024, p. 134.
- ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2024, p. 321.
Sources
- The International Institute for Strategic Studies (13 February 2024). The Military Balance 2024. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-78004-7.