The Chinese HQ-19 missile defense system. Photo: https://t.co/NV32s67GwM pic.twitter.com/vFdKC6FZma
— Ivan O'Gilvi (@o_gilvi) March 11, 2021
The network published the first photo of the mobile missile defense system HQ-19 of the Chinese army.
As follows from the images, the HQ-19 kit includes two radars with AFAR: apparently, target detection and missile guidance, - interceptor launchers of two types, as well as a command post. All vehicles of the complex are mounted on four-axle all-terrain chassis.
China traditionally does not disclose information about its new military developments, which include the HQ-19 (the first mention of the system dates back to 2019). It is known from open sources that the Chinese line of missile defense systems is similar to the American one. The HQ-29 is an analog of the Patriot system, and the HQ-26 is the equivalent of the SM-3 vertical launch missiles, which can be launched from mines and from ships. The HQ-19, like the THAAD, is designed for transatmospheric interception of ballistic missiles. The abbreviation HQ, by the way, stands for "Hongqi", "Red Banner".
The range of the multifunctional radar of the complex is 4000 kilometers. Like the American counterpart, the Chinese interceptor missile is equipped with a thermal guidance head with a side window - this allows you to destroy targets in the atmosphere and gives high accuracy of guidance, which is especially important for kinetic interception. The anti - missile engine is solid fuel.
Anton Valagin