After Pakistan, China’s HQ-9B Air Defence Fails Again In Iran Against US-Israel Strikes

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 09:58 IST

Similar shortcomings of China-made HQ-9B were reported in Pakistan also during India’s Operation Sindoor last year.

As the Iran war enters its sixth day, attention has turned to the performance of Iran’s Chinese-supplied HQ-9B air defence system. The surface-to-air missile systems, deployed around key locations including Natanz and Fordow, largely failed to intercept US-Israeli airstrikes that began on February 28, allowing widespread damage despite their long operational range.

According to reports quoting defence experts, large-scale attacks using stealth aircraft, cruise missiles and drones overwhelmed Iran’s air defences. Satellite images and reports from the ground shows that several radar sites and missile systems in Iran were knocked out during the operation, exposing weaknesses in what had long been seen as a strong and layered air defence network. 

Iran air defence system

Iran’s air defence system uses a mix of Russian, Chinese and locally built weapons organised in several protective layers. The outer layer includes long-range systems such as S-300PMU-2 batteries and HQ-9B missiles, designed to stop high-altitude threats before they reach important sites. 

Indigenous systems like Bavar-373 add extra coverage by supporting these long-range defences. Closer to sensitive locations, mobile medium-range systems, including Khordad-15 and Raad units, are deployed to intercept targets that get through the first line. Point-defence systems form the final shield, aiming to stop aircraft, drones or missiles that manage to penetrate the earlier defensive layers.

China’s HQ-9B-backed infra

The term “HQ-9B-backed infrastructure" describes the full defence network built around China’s HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile system. It includes missile launchers, advanced radar units, command and control centres, communication systems, and mobile vehicles that carry and fire the missiles. All these parts are designed to work together as one coordinated system to detect threats, track incoming aircraft or missiles, and respond quickly. This network allows air defences to cover large areas and protect key locations by sharing information in real time, ensuring that different components operate in sync during military operations or aerial attacks.

What is the HQ-9B system?

The HQ-9B is an advanced long-range surface-to-air missile system designed for area air defence against aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic threats. It is an export-enhanced variant of the HQ-9 family.

The system has a reported range of 260 kilometres against aircraft and 50-100 kilometres against ballistic targets, with a maximum altitude of 50 kilometres and speeds exceeding Mach 4. It uses inertial guidance with datalink support and dual-mode radar and infrared seekers. The vertically launched missiles provide 360-degree coverage through mobile launchers.

Its phased-array radar can track up to 100 targets while engaging six to eight simultaneously.

Capabilities and deployment

Developed by China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC), the HQ-9B includes anti-stealth and anti-jamming features through its infrared seeker and is designed for rapid deployment to protect cities and military bases. Variants are operated by China and Pakistan, and the system is reportedly in Iran through an “oil-for-arms" arrangement.

Its technical specifications are often compared with systems such as Russia’s S-400 and United States’s Patriot air defence systems in terms of range.

Performance issues in HQ-9B

Recent combat has exposed major limitations. There have been no confirmed interceptions during the current conflict, with strikes hitting more than 20 provinces, including nuclear facilities and IRGC bases.

Analysts say the system struggled against coordinated attacks by F-35 and F-15 aircraft, Tomahawk missiles and drones. Electronic warfare measures reportedly jammed radar and seeker systems, while stand-off weapons were launched from beyond engagement range.

Although capable of tracking many targets, the HQ-9B can engage only a limited number at once, leaving it vulnerable to large-scale attacks.

Reasons behind the failures

Several factors have been cited for the poor performance:

1. Stealth and electronic warfare superiority: F-35 aircraft evaded detection while electronic jamming disrupted guidance systems.
2. Saturation attacks: Hundreds of missiles, drones and decoys overwhelmed defences.
3. Suppression of air defences: Early strikes targeted radar and command nodes, weakening the network before main attacks.
4. Operational gaps: Rapid deployment and limited training affected calibration and coordination.

Similar shortcomings of China-made HQ-9B were reported in Pakistan also during India’s Operation Sindoor last year.

Meanwhile, China has denied supplying the HQ-9B to Iran, citing export restrictions. However, defence experts say the system’s performance has raised questions about the effectiveness of Chinese export air defence technology as the conflict continues to escalate.

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