HQ-16

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Wikipedia

HQ-16 / LY-80
HQ-16A ground launcher
TypeSurface-to-air missile
Place of originPeople's Republic of China
Service history
In service2008–present
Used byPrimary user: China
See Operators section for others
Production history
ManufacturerShanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST)
Specifications
Detonation
mechanism
impact / proximity
Enginerocket motor
Propellantsolid fuel
Operational
range
40 kilometres (25 mi) (HQ-16/HQ-16A) (slant)[1]
70 kilometres (43 mi) (HQ-16B)[1]
160 kilometres (99 mi) (HQ-16FE)[2]
Flight altitude15m to 27km (HQ-16FE)[3]
Guidance
system
Semi-active radar homing[1]
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher[1] Ship[4]

The HQ-16 (simplified Chinese: 红旗-16; traditional Chinese: 紅旗-16; pinyin: Hóng Qí-16; lit. 'Red Banner-16'; NATO reporting name: CH-SA-16)[5][6] is a Chinese medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).[7] It is derived from earlier versions of the Russian Buk missile system.[1][4]

Development

Development began in 2005, and was reportedly assisted by the Almaz-Antey Corporation.[5] It was initially developed as a naval system.[1] In late-2011, China reported the "co-development between Russia and China" of the missile was complete.[5]

The HQ-16B was developed by late-2011.[5]

A ground battery consists of a command post, two multifunction radars, and four to six launchers. Each launcher has six missiles.[1]

The HQ-16 is effective in intercepting tactical ballistic missiles.[8]

Operational history

The platform for the HHQ-16, the Type 054A frigate, entered service in 2008.[9] The HQ-16A entered service in 2011.[10]

The HQ-16A entered Chinese service in 2011.[10]

Pakistan entered negotiations to purchase the missile in 2015.[11] The LY-80s entered service with the Pakistan Army in March 2017.[12]

Variants

Naval HHQ-16 vertical launchers onboard Type 054A frigate.
HQ-16 missile (left) on display at the PLA Naval Museum in Qingdao.
HQ-16A
Original land-based variant[1] with a range of 40 kilometres (25 mi).[10]
HHQ-16
Naval variant,[4] reportedly a domestic-produced variant of the 9M317ME missile.[13]
HQ-16B
Improved variant with slant range exceeding 70 kilometres (43 mi).[1]
HQ-16C
Improved variant with slant range exceeding 70 kilometres (43 mi).[1]
HHQ-16C
Improved extended-range naval variant.[14]
LY-80
Export variant.[15]
LY-80N
Export naval variant.[15]
HQ-16FE
Improved variant with range up to 160 kilometres (99 mi).[2]

Operators

 People's Republic of China
 Pakistan

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 United States Department of the Army 2021, p. C-3.
  2. 1 2 Chan, Minnie (15 November 2022). "China showcases latest missile defence systems at Zhuhai air show". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "China unveils modern air defence system". Al Jundi Journal. Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Schwartz 2015, p. 28.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Fisher, Richard D. Jr.; Gibson, Neil (7 September 2016). "China develops longer-range HQ-16 SAM variant". janes.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  6. ↑ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). "6 Asia". The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge.
  7. ↑ "LY Series". Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
  8. ↑ Mezey, Jacob (10 September 2024). "Russian and Chinese strategic missile defense: Doctrine, capabilities, and development". Atlantic Council.
  9. ↑ Dominguez, Gabriel (15 January 2018). "PLAN inducts Type 054A frigate into North Sea Fleet". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 Cazalet, Mark; Dominguez, Gabriel (1 March 2021). "Air-defence brigade under PLAGF's 78th Group Army receives HQ-16 SAM systems". Janes. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  11. ↑ Einhorn & Sidhu 2017, p. 54.
  12. ↑ "Army inducts Chinese-built air defence system to its arsenal". Dawn.com. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  13. ↑ Tada, Tomohiko (January 2015), "Shipboard Weapons of the World", Ships of the World (811), Kaijin-sha: 61, NAID 40020297435
  14. ↑ Barnes, Joe (3 September 2025). "Six weapons China really wants you to see". The Telegraph.
  15. 1 2 3 4 The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2022, p. 298.
  16. ↑ The Military Balance 2024. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 13 February 2024. p. 256. ISBN 978-1032780047.
  17. ↑ The Military Balance 2024. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 13 February 2024. p. 257. ISBN 978-1032780047.

Sources