China has been actively developing and testing its national missile defense system. Here's a breakdown of what is known:
Development and Testing:
- HQ-19 System: This is a key component of China's missile defense and is comparable to the US THAAD system. It is designed to intercept ballistic missiles in their midcourse and terminal phases, both within and beyond the atmosphere.
- Development History: The HQ-19 was developed under the "863 Program" in the late 1990s and was reportedly successfully tested in 1999, demonstrating the capability to hit targets at high altitudes and speeds.
- Multiple Tests: Several more tests were conducted in the 2010s, and the Chinese Ministry of National Defense certified the missile's capabilities in 2021.
- Midcourse Interception: China has publicly announced at least five land-based midcourse missile interceptor flight tests, with the first one in February 2018, and another in early February 2021. These tests are defensive in nature and not targeted at any specific country, according to China.
- Advanced Radar Testing: In April 2025, China reported a successful test of a new-generation dual-band radar system that could track and identify multiple targets, including decoys, during a simulated saturation attack involving 16 simultaneously launched ballistic missiles. This radar technology is considered advanced, potentially outpacing some US and Israeli systems in its ability to handle saturation attacks.
Capabilities:
- HQ-19 Capabilities: The HQ-19 is reported to have an interception range of up to 3,000 km and can engage targets at altitudes exceeding 200 km and speeds greater than 22,369 miles per hour. Some reports suggest it could potentially intercept hypersonic weapons and even satellites in low-Earth orbit.
- Comparison to THAAD: The HQ-19 is considered a strong competitor and potentially superior to the US THAAD system in some aspects, particularly in its extended range and higher altitude interception capability. Its radar system is also reported to have a longer detection range.
- Other Systems: China is also developing and deploying other missile defense systems, including the HQ-9B, HQ-26, HQ-29, DN-1, and DN-2, forming a multi-layered defense network. The HQ-29 is considered similar to the US PAC-3 MSE in its terminal interception capabilities.
Deployment:
- The HQ-19 reportedly began preliminary operations around 2018 and was publicly revealed at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2024.
- Some reports suggest that the HQ-29 ballistic missile defense system might have been deployed by the Chinese armed forces as of March 2025.
