Pakistan showcases air defence system resembling Chinese HQ-17A: Bloomberg
Pakistan’s military has showcased an air defence system resembling China’s HQ-17A short-range surface-to-air missile platform in a promotional video, potentially indicating another development in the country’s expanding defence cooperation with Beijing, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. The six-wheeled military vehicle, fitted with a large rectangular radar array, was featured around 28 seconds into…
Pakistan's military displayed a military vehicle equipped with a radar system in a promotional video, potentially signifying an expansion in defense ties with China, according to Bloomberg on Tuesday. The six-wheeled vehicle, highlighted around 28 seconds into a video released on the military's official X account, bears a striking resemblance to China's HQ-17A short-range surface-to-air missile platform, as cited by senior analyst Tianran Xu from Open Nuclear Network.
If verified, this acquisition would be China's first known sale of the HQ-17A to Pakistan. The Pakistani military, Pakistan Air Force, and China's Defence Ministry have yet to comment on the matter. China's armed forces confirmed the model in a post on Monday via their official X account. Chinese media outlets, including China Daily, have also confirmed this news.
Analyst Xu stated that the HQ-17A could offer robust defense against cruise missiles, manned aircraft, and other low-altitude targets, and potentially integrate with Chinese command-and-control systems already provided to Pakistan. However, the effectiveness of this system against emerging and rapidly evolving drone threats remains untested in a real battlefield.
The HQ-17A, manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, was first showcased during China's National Day military parade in 2019. Around 200 HQ-17 and 50 HQ-17A systems are believed to be in operation by the People's Liberation Army, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Serbia and Tajikistan have also acquired the HQ-17AE, an export variant of the HQ-17A, based on data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Defense cooperation between Pakistan and China gained significant attention during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, where Pakistan reportedly used Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets, claiming they downed several Indian jets, including French-made Rafales. India disputed these claims, and the performance of the J-10C faced close examination following the conflict.
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