The HQ-17 (simplified Chinese: 红旗-17; traditional Chinese: 紅旗-17; pinyin: Hóng Qí-17; lit. 'Red Banner-17'; NATO reporting name: CH-SA-15)[1] is an all-weather, low to medium altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile system derived from the Tor-M1.[2][3]
| HQ-17 | |
|---|---|
 Serbian Armed Forces HQ-17AE | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2015 – present |
| Used by | China |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ~ 165 kg |
| Length | ~ 2.9 m |
| Diameter | ~ 0.23 m |
| Warhead | ~ 15 kg HE-FRAG |
| Engine | rocket motor |
| Propellant | solid fuel |
Operational range | 1.5 km to 20 km |
| Flight altitude | 10 m to 10 km |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3 |
Guidance system | Semi-active radar homing |
Launch platform | TEL (HQ-17) 6x6 Wheeled Platform (HQ-17A) |
Development
editIn 1996, China ordered 14 Tor-M1 missile systems from Russia, delivered under contract in 1997. In 1999, another contract for 13 Tor-M1 systems was signed between Russia and China. Delivery of the systems took place in 2000.[4]
Around 2000, China sought to license-produce the Tor-M1 missile system locally, however, Russia reportedly refused. As a result, China decided to reverse-engineer the missile system.[2]
The HQ-17 was incorporated into Chinese army service around early 2013.[5] The system's existence was confirmed by the Chinese military in 2015.[3] An export variant, called FM-2000, was displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2018.[6]
Design
editThe HQ-17 features various improvements over the Tor-M1 system. The HQ-17 incorporates an indigenous all-terrain tracked launch vehicle, a new identification friend or foe (IFF) antenna on top of the search radar, an electronically scanned array radar for better performance against jamming, and the ability to datalink with other Chinese systems.[7][6]
A typical HQ-17 air defense battery consists of one command vehicle, 4 missile launch vehicles, 2 NG-80 reloading vehicles, 2 NG-80 ammunition transport vehicles, and other support vehicles.[8] Although a battery of the HQ-17 usually operates independently, it can also receive data-linked targeting data from surveillance radars.[2]
The HQ-17 is designed to keep up with mechanized troops like tank battalions to provide air cover on the move, as well as protect critical military premises.[3]
Armament
editThe HQ-17 missile is physically similar to the Tor-M1, with a weight of around 165 kg, a length of around 2.9 m, and a diameter of around 0.23 m. Its slant range for intercepting flying aerial targets is 1.5 km to 15 km, slightly longer than the Tor-M1, and operates at an altitude of 10 m to 10 km.[6]
The missile guidance system comprises semi-active radar homing by either the tracking radar, the television sight, or the thermal sight on the launch vehicle.
Each vehicle carries 2 x 4 missile canisters for a total of 8 missiles, which can be reloaded 4 missiles at a time by a Shaanxi SX2306 reloading truck equipped with a crane.[9]
Fire control
editEach launch vehicle carries one PESA search radar and one AESA guidance radar. The Chinese PESA search radar has a longer range than the original Tor system, with a detection range of 45km. The system can monitor up to 48 targets, track 24 targets, and engage 2 targets simultaneously.[10] Other tracking devices include laser rangefinder, a thermal tracking sight and a television tracking sight.[5]
Chassis
editThe launch vehicle of the HQ-17 integrates both missile and radar systems on a single chassis, capable of operating independently without other battery vehicles.
The tracked chassis weighs around 32 metric tons and has dimensions of 8 m long, 3.2 m tall, and 4 m wide. It is reportedly powered by a roughly 750-800 hp diesel engine and has a maximum speed of 65 km/h and a range of 600 km.[2]
The wheeled launch vehicle is produced by Dongfeng Motor Corporation and is a 6x6 chassis similar to a Belarusian MZKT-6922. The vehicle weighs around 30 tons and is about 9.7 m long, 3.1 m tall, and 3.7 m wide. The vehicle includes an all-wheel drive transmission, a central tire inflation system, and a lightly armored hull that protects against small arms fire and shell splinters. It is reportedly powered by a diesel engine of roughly 400 horsepower and has a maximum speed of 80 km/h and a range of 800 km.[11][9]
One major improvement of the wheeled variant was the capability to fire on the move.[citation needed]
Deployment
editThe HQ-17 tracked version and HQ-17A wheeled version are both currently in service in the People's Liberation Army Ground Force.
In May 2021, around 2 batteries of HQ-17A entered service in China's Xinjiang Military Command at an altitude of more than 4500 m alongside 2 batteries of PHL-11 MLRS.[12]
Variants
edit- HQ-17
- Tracked variant
- HQ-17A
- Wheeled variant
- FM-2000
- Export-oriented wheeled variant. Featured upgraded electronic countermeasures (ECM) in the form of counter-jamming capability against multiple targets.[13]
- FM-3000
- Export-oriented wheeled variant. Improved from FM-2000. A 30 km range surface-to-air missile system based on the HQ-17.
- HQ-17AE
- An export variant based on wheeled HQ-17A.[14][15]
- CASIC Anti-UAV System
- Debuted at Zhuhai Airshow 2022. It comprises the HQ-17AE and QW-12 short-range missiles, DK-1 low-altitude search radar, ZR-1500 drone defense system, and the ZK-K20 ground station.[16][17]
Operators
edit
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force - 200 HQ-17, 50 HQ-17A as of 2023[1]
- HQ-17AE[18][better source needed]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies 2024, p. 256.
- ^ a b c d "HQ-17 Short-Range Air Defense Missile System | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com.
- ^ a b c "China officially unveils cloned edition of Russia's Tor M1, the HQ-17 surface-to-air missile system". army recognition. 25 January 2015.
- ^ "RUSSIAN TOR MISSILE SYSTEM". Russia File Defence Brief. 2008-12-08. Archived from the original on 2015-04-10. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ a b "红旗17导弹成中国野战自行防空系统里程碑". Sina News. 24 September 2013.
- ^ a b c "CPMIEC FM-2000 Short Range Air Defense System at Air Show China 2018 | AirShow China 2018 Zhuhai News Show Daily Coverage | Defence security military exhibition 2018 daily news category". www.armyrecognition.com.
- ^ "HQ-17: A Classic Russian Missile With A New Chinese Twist". popsci.com. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ "红旗17发射连整建制亮相 12部车辆构筑最强野战防空". Sina News (in Chinese). 17 November 2020.
- ^ a b "HQ-17A Short-Range Air Defense Missile System | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com.
- ^ "俄乌战争给中国提了个醒：红旗17备弹量太少，实战可能吃大亏". NetEase News. 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Chinese HQ-17A SHORAD air defense system deployed by PLA 78th Army Group | Defense News July 2020 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year".
- ^ "New artillery, air-defense assets enter service with China's Xinjiang Military Command".
- ^ Episkopos, Mark (December 29, 2018). "China's FM-2000 Short-Range Air Defense System: A Real Threat?". The National Interest.
- ^ GDC (20 August 2021). "Saudi Arabia Parades Chinese HQ-17AE Air Defense Systems". Global Defense Corp. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
- ^ GDC (22 August 2021). "CASIC HQ-17AE Air Defense Systems". Global Defense Corp. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
- ^ Honrada, Gabriel (8 November 2022). "China flexes drone-killing tech at Zhuhai airshow". Asia Times.
- ^ Liu, Zhen (9 November 2022). "China unveils anti-drone 'hard and soft kill' system at Zhuhai air show". South China Morning Post.
- ^ Vojinovic, Petar (2024-06-27). "[EKSKLUZIVNO] Prva fotografija kineskog PVO sistema HQ-17AE Vojske Srbije". Tango Six (in Serbian). Retrieved 2024-06-27.
Bibliography
edit- International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2024). The Military Balance 2024. London: Routledge. ISBN 9781032780047.