Pakistan placed its trust in the China-manufactured HQ-9 Air Defense System to bolster its aerial defenses. However, recent events have demonstrated that Pakistan's 'Chinese product' proved utterly ineffective against India's military might. Employing superior missiles and strategies, India dismantled Pakistan's air defenses, launching precise missile attacks.
Escalation after Pahalgam Attack
The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir on April 22, 2025, ignited tensions in Indo-Pak relations. Following the attack, India made it unequivocally clear that it would not tolerate any terrorist activities. Pakistan, fearing a retaliatory military strike from India, increased its military presence at the border. To safeguard vital bases like Karachi and Rawalpindi, the Pakistani Air Force deployed the Chinese HQ-9 air defense system alongside patrols by aircraft like the JF-17 and J-10.
HQ-9: Pakistan’s 'Chinese Product'
HQ-9 is a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC). Pakistan inducted this system in 2021 to counter the aerial threats posed by India's Rafale, Sukhoi, and BrahMos missiles. Its range is estimated between 125 to 200 kilometers, capable of tracking 100 targets simultaneously.
Pakistani experts attempt to compare the HQ-9 with India’s S-400 air defense system, though it lags considerably in technical aspects. For instance, the S-400 boasts a range of 400 kilometers and can be deployed in merely 5 minutes, as opposed to the HQ-9's 35-minute deployment time. Furthermore, the HQ-9’s radar system struggled to intercept India's supersonic BrahMos missiles.
Why Did Pakistan's Air Defense Fail?
Recent engagements saw India execute strategic missile strikes on several Pakistani bases. Notably, in Bahawalpur, Indian missiles succeeded while Pakistan's HQ-9 system failed utterly to intercept them. Several factors contributed to this failure...
Technical Shortcomings:
The HQ-9 radar lacks the advancement of India's S-400 multi-AESA radar. It can track supersonic missiles like BrahMos but fails at interception. For instance, on March 9, 2022, a BrahMos missile mistakenly fired from India struck Pakistan's Mian Channu; the HQ-9 tracked it but couldn't intercept.
India’s SEAD Strategy:
India employed its Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) strategy using Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets equipped with Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles and indigenous Rudram-1 missiles, effectively neutralizing Pakistan’s radars and air defense systems.
Quality of Chinese Weapons:
Over 95% of Pakistan's military requirements depend on China, yet the quality of Chinese arms often comes into question. Systems like the HQ-9 struggle against India’s advanced technology in limited combat scenarios.
Precision of Indian Missiles:
India’s missiles like BrahMos, Astra, and Rudram are extraordinarily precise and fast, presenting a significant challenge to systems like the HQ-9.
India’s Military Might and Strategy
India’s air power and missile capabilities underscore their superiority in these events, with notable weapons and strategies prompting Pakistan to relent...
S-400 Air Defense System:
India’s S-400 is one of the world’s most advanced air defense systems, capable of annihilating aircraft, drones, and missiles within a 400-kilometer range. Even Pakistan's F-16 jets were relocated to remote bases like Gwadar due to S-400’s threat.
Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI:
India’s Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets, equipped with Meteor, BrahMos, and R-77 missiles, can execute precise strikes while remaining beyond HQ-9’s range.
BrahMos Missile:
The BrahMos is the fastest supersonic cruise missile globally, traveling at Mach 2.8, adept at penetrating systems like the HQ-9.
Further discussions occurred on social media platforms, highlighting HQ-9's failure and questioning the efficacy of Chinese weaponry amidst India's potent missile attacks.
