PLA Anti-Air Missile (SAM) systems

sndef888 said:

Some questions about the HQ-17 short range SAM:

1. Some websites claim that the HQ-17A wheeled version carries 16 missiles while the HQ-17 tracked version only carries 8. Is that true? I find it hard to believe given their small size difference

2. For both the wheeled HQ-17A and tracked HQ-17, do the missiles extend beyond the top cab with the radars?

I was under the impression that the top cab can spin around to direct its front tracking radar, but seeing the length of the missile in this photo, it seems impossible not to extend into the vehicle itself

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Yes, the missile does extend into the vehicle itself. Pay attention to the missile containers in loading. The number of missiles is restricted by the width of the turret basket due to the need of fitting the rear part of the missile into the vehicle.

As for the HQ-17A having 16 missiles instead of 8, I did read some news/ rumors (closer to rumors I say) about Russian Tor getting new and more compact missiles that increases its missile capacity from 8 to 16. Since HQ-17 and its development is a branch of Russian Tor, maybe that's where the claim comes from?

dankris said:

Yes, the missile does extend into the vehicle itself. Pay attention to the missile containers in loading. The number of missiles is restricted by the width of the turret basket due to the need of fitting the rear part of the missile into the vehicle.

As for the HQ-17A having 16 missiles instead of 8, I did read some news/ rumors (closer to rumors I say) about Russian Tor getting new and more compact missiles that increases its missile capacity from 8 to 16. Since HQ-17 and its development is a branch of Russian Tor, maybe that's where the claim comes from?

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Thanks for that clarification.


There is a RT documentary where they interview the makers of Tor and they say it has 16 missiles.
But HQ-17 development is not related to Tor since it is reverse engineered, not cooperated. And the picture above of the wheeled variant looks like only 8 missiles. Too bad the picture quality is just a bit too low to confirm

ougoah said:

What is this 5-5-5 quad pack SAM? Is it for Type 055 VLS? or land based SAM?

Mach 5 is incredible SAM speeds. I think most of the world's fastest are basically around mach 4 top speed? 50km puts it around mid block HQ-16 range levels. Is this 5-5-5 SAM a HQ-16 based missile or DK-10/PL-12 staged boost missile?

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Missile intended to be used on U-VLS, quad packed manner. Not just 055, but also 052D. Maybe even 054B if the frigate uses U-VLS. Its not based on the HQ-16 nor is it an adapted AAM like DK-10. It seems to be an all new missile. Mach 5 in only 50km suggests tremendous acceleration and fast burn. The way you extend range on a rocket is to extend and slow down the burn, so the burn can be sustained. But speed suffers as a result and this can affect the missile's PK (potential kill, expressed in percentages). The short range and Mach 5 don't suggest that this missile is based off the PL-15 missile, which is much longer ranged but limited up to Mach 4.

HQ-16 firing in promotional video.

HQ-17A seen at a recent exercise.

A HQ-17A air defense brigade of the 78th Group Army in live fire exercise.

by78 said:

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So 8 missiles per vehicle??