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HQ-7
HQ-7
HQ-7
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The HQ-7 (simplified Chinese: 红旗-7; traditional Chinese: 紅旗-7; pinyin: Hóng Qí-7; lit. 'Red Banner-7'; NATO reporting name: CH-SA-4)[3] is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the People's Republic of China. It was reverse-engineered by the Changfeng Electromechanical Technology Design Institute from the French R-440 Crotale SAM.[2] It entered service in the early 1980s.[1]

Key Information

A ground battery consists of a short-range radar and three launchers. Each launcher has four or eight missiles.[1]

Variants

[edit]
Eight-missile HHQ-7 launcher on Shenzhen.
HHQ-7 launcher (left) and HHQ-7 missile (right) on display at the PLA Naval Museum in Qingdao.
HQ-7A

Original command-guided version.[2]

HHQ-7

Naval variant.[4][5]

HQ-7B

Improved version.[6]

FM-80

Export version of the HQ-7A.[2]

FM-90

Export version of the HQ-7B.[6]

FM-90N

Naval variant of the FM-90.[7][8]

Operators

[edit]
Map with HQ-7 operators in blue
 Algeria

FM-90.[9]

 Bangladesh
  • Bangladesh Army: FM-90
  • Bangladesh Air Force: FM-90
  • Bangladesh Navy: FM-90N[7] and HHQ-7.[4]
 People's Republic of China

HQ-7A, HQ-7B[10] and HHQ-7.[5]

 Iran

FM-80.[11] Produces a mobile version dubbed Herz-9

 Pakistan

FM-90 and FM-90N.[8]

 Turkmenistan

FM-90.[12]

See also

[edit]
  • Ya Zahra (unlicensed Iranian copy of the system)
    • Herz-9 (mobile version of the Ya Zahra system)

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  • Einhorn, Robert; Sidhu, W.P.S. (March 2017). The Strategic Chain: Linking Pakistan, India, China, and the United States (PDF) (Report). Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Series. Brookings Institution.
  • Medeiros, Evan S.; Cliff, Roger; Crane, Keith; Mulvenon, James C. (2005). A New Direction for China's Defense Industry (PDF). RAND Corporation. ISBN 0-8330-3794-3.
  • The International Institute for Strategic Studies (2022). The Military Balance 2022. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
  • International Institute for Strategic Studies (2023). Hackett, James (ed.). The Military Balance 2023 (Report). Routledge. ISBN 9781032508955. ISSN 0459-7222.
  • Chinese Tactics (PDF). Army Techniques Publication. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Army. 9 August 2021. 7-100.3.
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

HQ-7

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The HQ-7 (Hong Qi 7) is a Chinese short-range, all-weather (SAM) system designed for point air defense against low-altitude threats such as , helicopters, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions. Developed in the late and early by the Second Academy (now part of the Science and Technology Corporation), it was reverse-engineered from the French Crotale system after imported four units in 1979 for evaluation. Testing began in 1983, with certified in 1986, and the system entered service with the (PLA) Ground Force in the late for rapid deployment in coastal, border, and high-value asset protection roles. The HQ-7 system typically consists of a battery with one acquisition and tracking and three transporter-erector-launcher and (TELAR) , each carrying four ready-to-fire on a wheeled for high mobility. The original HQ-7 variant features a J-band with an 18 km detection range, an range of 0.7–12 km, and an altitude ceiling of 30–5,000 m, achieving speeds up to Mach 2.3 with a single-shot kill probability of around 80%. Reaction time is under 10 seconds, and reload takes approximately 2 minutes, making it suitable for tactical scenarios requiring quick setup. Key upgrades include the HQ-7A (introduced in 1998), which improved radar processing and missile guidance for better performance against electronic countermeasures, and the HQ-7B (deployed widely from 2009), featuring an S-band (AESA) radar with a 20–25 km detection range, extended engagement up to 15 km, and enhanced interception of anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles. Export variants, such as the FM-80 (based on original HQ-7) and FM-90 (based on HQ-7A/B), have been sold since 1989 to countries including , , , , and , with naval adaptations like the HHQ-7 and FM-90N integrated on PLA Navy destroyers (e.g., Type 052) and export vessels. The system underscores its role in China's layered air defense architecture.

Development

Origins

In the post-Vietnam War era of the late 1970s, sought to modernize its air defense capabilities to address vulnerabilities against low-altitude aerial threats, such as those demonstrated by and incursions in Southeast Asian conflicts. The (PLA) identified a critical gap in mobile short-range (SAM) systems capable of engaging low-flying targets effectively, prompting efforts to acquire and adapt foreign technology amid strained relations with the and limited domestic options. Through diplomatic channels established after Sino-French normalization in 1964, acquired four French Crotale SAM systems in 1979 for evaluation purposes, including both land-based and naval variants. This acquisition, facilitated by improving bilateral ties and France's willingness to engage post-Cultural , provided critical reference material for indigenous development without full production licensing. The Crotale's proven all-weather, low-altitude interception capabilities made it an ideal model for 's needs. The reverse-engineering project for what would become the HQ-7 began in 1979 under the auspices of the Changfeng Electromechanical Technology Design Institute, involving specialized institutes within 's aerospace sector. The 2nd Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) focused on replicating the itself, the 23rd handled the and fire control systems, and the 206th adapted the Hotchkiss P4R launcher . This collaborative effort aimed to localize the fully, with initial testing of prototypes beginning in 1983, first firings in 1985, design certification trials conducted from July 1986 to June 1988, and the overall design finalized in 1988, marking the transition from evaluation to operational readiness.

Production

Following the completion of testing phases, the HQ-7 received design certification and approval for serial production between July 1986 and June 1988. This milestone enabled the transition from prototype development to , building on the system's reverse-engineering from the French Crotale. Initial production of the baseline HQ-7 began in the late 1980s under the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC), with certified by the Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) between 1986 and 1988. The land-based variant was mounted on a cloned Thomson-Hotchkiss P4R 4x4 developed by the 206th Institute, while naval adaptations followed for integration into platforms. Early focused on establishing domestic supply chains for key components, including missiles and systems produced by affiliated institutes under the 2nd . By the mid-1990s, sufficient production output allowed deployment across mechanized units for field air defense, bases for point protection, and vessels as a standard short-range system. This initial scale-up supported operational integration into all three PLA services, with self-propelled configurations for ground forces and shelter-mounted versions for air defense roles.

Design

Missile

The HQ-7 is a short-range designed for point defense against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and precision-guided munitions. Measuring 3 meters in length, 0.156 meters in , and weighing 84.5 kilograms at launch, it features a compact, cylindrical body with cruciform wings spanning 0.55 meters for aerodynamic stability. Propelled by a single-stage solid-fuel motor, the accelerates to a maximum speed of Mach 2.3, equivalent to approximately 750 meters per second, enabling rapid interception within its engagement envelope. Guidance is provided via radio command line-of-sight, where the is continuously updated by ground-based and electro-optical trackers to maintain alignment with the target, culminating in a proximity fuse for . The consists of a 15-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation type, optimized for generating lethal shrapnel patterns against soft targets. In terms of performance, the HQ-7 achieves an effective range of 0.7 to 12 kilometers and an altitude envelope of 15–5,000 meters, which varies based on the target's speed and altitude. The single-shot kill probability is estimated at approximately 0.8 against typical aerial threats, reflecting its all-weather capability and robust terminal homing. For range estimation under simplified conditions, a ballistic trajectory model can be adapted for the powered phase: range≈v2sin⁡(2θ)g,\text{range} \approx \frac{v^2 \sin(2\theta)}{g}, where vv is the missile's terminal velocity, θ\theta is the launch angle, and gg is gravitational acceleration (approximately 9.8 m/s²); this provides conceptual insight into maximum kinematic reach, though actual performance incorporates boost propulsion and guidance corrections.

Launcher System

The baseline HQ-7 launcher system employs a four-round elevating tube configuration mounted on a cloned French Thomson-Hotchkiss P4R 4x4 armored , providing a compact and mobile platform for . This setup allows for rapid elevation and traversal of the launcher turret, enabling engagement of low-altitude threats with command-guided s. The system's suite includes a Ku-band (J-band, 12-18 GHz) monopulse tracking , designated Type-345, capable of illuminating and guiding to targets at ranges up to 17 km, while a separate G-band (5.2-5.9 GHz) pulse-Doppler , Type-347G, detects low-flying targets from 3.2 to 18 km. The can process up to 30 targets simultaneously and designate the 12 most threatening for tracking by the fire control elements. Fire control is managed through a battery command post using radio command guidance with beam-riding techniques, where the tracking maintains continuous illumination of the target during flight. This centralized approach allows for a reaction time of approximately 6.5 seconds from target detection to launch, supporting rapid response in dynamic battlefield conditions. A typical HQ-7 battery consists of three launchers, each carrying four ready-to-fire missiles, supplemented by a short-range search vehicle and the command post for coordinated operations. Mobility is enhanced by the 4x4 wheeled , powered by a Hotchkiss engine with electromechanical transmission, achieving a top road speed of 60 km/h and an operational range of around 500-600 km. The launcher can be stabilized using three hydraulic jacks for precise firing on uneven terrain.

Variants

Land-Based

The land-based variants of the system represent the primary ground and air force adaptations of this platform, evolving from the original HQ-7 design to incorporate enhanced mobility, detection capabilities, and integration with modern and sensors. These versions prioritize point defense for ground forces and airfield protection, with progressive upgrades focusing on extended engagement ranges, multi-target tracking, and low-altitude performance against , helicopters, and cruise missiles. The original HQ-7 is the base command-guided land-based variant, featuring a maximum engagement range of 12 km and utilizing a Ku-band for up to 18.5 km. Mounted on a cloned French Thomson-Hotchkiss P4R 4x4 chassis with a diesel or , it provides mobility over 600 km at speeds up to 60 km/h, enabling rapid deployment for tactical air defense. This version employs the baseline VT-1 missile (derived from the R.440), which achieves speeds of 750 m/s and carries a 15 kg , emphasizing close-in protection for army units and static sites. The HQ-7A, introduced in and building on the original HQ-7, serves as an improved command-guided land-based variant with enhanced radar processing and . It retains the maximum engagement range exceeding 10 km and the Ku-band for up to 18.5 km. Mounted on the P4R 4x4 chassis, it provides similar mobility. This version continues to employ the baseline VT-1 missile specifications. Building on the HQ-7A, the HQ-7B (introduced around 2009 and exported as FM-90) introduces significant improvements, including an extended range of up to 15 km (12 km against , 15 km against helicopters), with detection extended to 20-25 km and the ability to track 24 simultaneous targets. It integrates (FLIR) sensors for enhanced all-weather operation and low-altitude engagements, paired with a planar radar for superior guidance. The mounts on an indigenous 6x6 armored fighting vehicle (AFV) chassis, replacing the older P4R for better cross-country performance and crew protection, while the upgraded VT-1 missile variant reaches 930 m/s with a 35 G maneuverability, optimizing low-altitude interception below 15 m. These enhancements make the HQ-7B suitable for integrated air defense networks supporting mechanized forces. The FM-80, introduced in 1989 as the export iteration of the original HQ-7, retains the core 10+ km range and but incorporates minor upgrades such as improved and FLIR for better reliability in diverse environments. It maintains the original VT-1 specifications, focusing on cost-effective point defense for international operators while achieving single-shot kill probabilities of 80-90%. For (PLAAF) applications, a shelter-mounted configuration of the HQ-7 deploys in hardened facilities at airbases, providing fixed-site defense against low-flying threats without relying on wheeled mobility. This variant leverages the baseline system's and missile capabilities for airfield perimeter protection, often integrated with broader base defense architectures. The HHQ-7 represents the naval variant of the system, utilizing the same missiles as its land-based counterpart while featuring adaptations derived from the French Crotale Naval system. Developed to address the shortcomings of the earlier domestic HQ-61, which proved ineffective for maritime air defense, the HHQ-7 became the Navy's (PLAN) first effective short-range capability. Integration of the HHQ-7 occurred primarily on Chinese surface combatants during the 1990s, with installations on (Jiangwei II-class) frigates and other warships to provide point defense against low-flying threats. These systems employ an eight-missile launcher configuration, supported by shipboard for rapid engagement in dynamic maritime environments. The FM-90N serves as the export-oriented naval version of the HQ-7 family (based on the FM-90/HQ-7B), designed for mounting on frigates and destroyers with stabilized launchers to maintain operational effectiveness in rough seas. This variant incorporates an eight-missile launcher configuration, enabling reliable firing despite vessel motion. Key enhancements for naval applications include a compact optimized for limited shipboard space and a Ku-band with resistance to sea clutter, capable of rejecting up to 60 dB of environmental interference to ensure accurate target discrimination.

Operators

The HQ-7 system serves as a key component of the (PLA) Ground Force's divisional air defense, with variants such as the HQ-7A and HQ-7B providing short-range protection against low-altitude and cruise missiles. These systems are typically organized into batteries, each consisting of a , command vehicle, and multiple launchers. In the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the HQ-7 is deployed in shelter-mounted configurations to safeguard airbases and key installations from aerial threats, emphasizing rapid response and integration with broader integrated air defense networks. These systems support point defense roles at select facilities. The (PLAN) formerly employed the navalized HHQ-7 variant for close-in air defense on surface combatants, equipping several frigates and s including two Type 052 Luhu-class s, one Type 051B Luhai-class , two Type 053H2G Jiangwei I-class frigates, and two Type 054 Jiangkai I-class frigates during the and . This has been progressively phased out from frontline service since the in favor of more advanced missiles like the HHQ-10, with replacements continuing into the 2020s on remaining platforms. Overall, the Chinese maintains an estimated 200 units in active service across its branches as of the early , with ongoing upgrades to enhance integration and missile performance amid broader PLA modernization efforts.

International

The export variants of the HQ-7, primarily the FM-80 and FM-90, have been acquired by several foreign operators, with China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC) handling sales since the . These systems are used for in land and naval roles, enhancing point defense capabilities against low-altitude threats. Algeria operates the FM-90 for army air defense, with acquisitions occurring in the 2000s and more than 10 batteries integrated into its forces; the naval FM-90N variant is also deployed on C28A-class corvettes commissioned starting in 2016. Bangladesh has employed the FM-90 and FM-90N since the 2000s, with the inducting its first FM-90 systems in 2011 for low-altitude defense, while the received additional units by 2017 and the integrated FM-90N on frigates such as the BNS Bangabandhu and BNS Osman; an estimated eight systems are in service across branches. Iran acquired the FM-80 starting in 1989 and has produced a local mobile version known as the Herz-9 since the , with reverse-engineering efforts leading to the Shahab Thaqeb variant by 2002 and the Herz-9 unveiled in 2013; more than 12 units are reported in service. Pakistan procured the FM-90 and FM-90N for and naval use in the , with initial deliveries enabling test-fires in 2015 and induction into service that year, comprising 6-8 batteries across the branches including integration on F-22P frigates. Turkmenistan acquired the FM-90 in the 2000s for border defense, with small numbers publicly displayed in a .

Operational Deployment

Chinese Service

The HQ-7 system entered service with the (PLA) in the early 1990s, following certification for mass production in 1986 and final design approval in 1988, initially replacing the older HQ-61A for of key installations. It was deployed at (PLAAF) bases throughout the 1990s to provide point defense against low-altitude threats, including during heightened tensions in the , where the PLA bolstered air defenses around strategic sites. In the (PLAN), the navalized HHQ-7 variant was integrated onto (Jiangwei II-class) frigates starting in the late 1990s, equipping ten ships built between 1998 and 2005 with an eight-missile launcher for close-in defense against sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. This system remained in service on these platforms into the 2010s, though gradual modernization efforts saw replacements with more advanced short-range systems like the on upgraded vessels, such as the Ma'anshan in 2022. On some older hulls, the HQ-7 was supplanted by medium-range missiles during refits, as seen in a 2016 upgrade on the Type 051B destroyer that quadrupled missile capacity from 8 to 32 cells. The HQ-7 has been prominently featured in PLA air defense exercises and operations, including deployment near the National Stadium in for the to intercept potential low-altitude threats within a 15-kilometer range, achieving up to 90% accuracy in simulations. It has also participated in integrated drills, such as realistic training exercises in 2016 where PLA units from the 13th Group Army used vehicle-mounted radars to detect and simulate intercepts of aerial targets on the Plateau. An upgraded HQ-7B variant entered widespread service in 2009, enhancing mobility on a 6x6 chassis, though the system is undergoing gradual phase-out in favor of and for higher-threat environments while remaining operational in low-threat zones as of 2025. No confirmed combat engagements have occurred, with usage limited to simulated intercepts in joint and unilateral exercises.

Foreign Service

The exported variants of the HQ-7 surface-to-air missile system have been integrated into the air defense architectures of several nations, primarily for point defense against low-altitude threats such as aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. These systems, often designated FM-90 or FM-90N for naval applications, emphasize mobility and rapid response in operational environments, though documented combat engagements remain absent as of 2025. In , the domestically produced Herz-9 represents an upgraded adaptation of the HQ-7, optimized for very low-altitude operations and capable of engaging short-range drones alongside manned aircraft and helicopters. The system supports border security efforts and has been tested in exercises focused on countering unmanned threats during the . Pakistan employs the FM-90 for low-altitude air defense, including protection of forward-deployed armored units and key installations, enhancing layered coverage within its broader integrated air defense network. integrates the FM-90N variant aboard guided-missile frigates such as the BNS Bangabandhu and BNS Osman, providing short-range air defense during maritime patrols in the since the mid-2010s. As of 2025, the is upgrading its FM-90 systems to extend operational life. Algeria operates HQ-7 systems for air defense, supporting training exercises aimed at simulating low-level aerial threats in the 2020s. Across these operators, the HQ-7 family lacks major combat records, functioning mainly in peacetime vigilance, routine patrols, and anti-drone training scenarios to bolster asymmetric defense capabilities.

References

  1. https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/china/china-anti-access-area-denial/hq-7/
  2. https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.php?armor_id=1299
  3. https://en.missilery.info/missile/hq7
  4. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/hq-7.htm
  5. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-HQ-7-Crotale.html
  6. https://tank-afv.com/modern/China/HQ-7B_FM-90.php
  7. https://tank-afv.com/coldwar/China/HQ-7_FM-80-P20.php
  8. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/hq-7-specs.htm
  9. https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/HQ-7_%28FM-80%29_Chinese_Short-Range_Air_Defense_Missile_System
  10. https://weaponsystems.net/system/1106-HHQ-7
  11. https://www.naval-technology.com/uncategorized/jiangwei-class/
  12. https://jamestown.org/program/advances-in-pla-air-defense-capabilities-challenge-strategic-balance-in-asia/
  13. https://armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-naval-defense/naval-defense-2022/chinese-navy-replaces-its-hq-7-air-defense-system-by-hq-10-on-type-54-frigate
  14. https://defenceweb.co.za/land/land-land/algeria-reveals-new-chinese-weaponry/
  15. https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsbaf-inducts-fm-90-missile-system/
  16. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/12952/fm-90-missiles-join-bangladesh-army%25E2%2580%2599s-anti-air
  17. https://en.topwar.ru/116150-pvo-islamskoy-respubliki-iran-chast-3.html
  18. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/iran-has-lots-ways-kill-air-force-thanks-russia-and-china-86016
  19. https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-land-defense/2015/pakistan-successfully-test-fires-recently-acquired-fm-90-hq-7b-air-defense-missile-13051503
  20. https://defense-update.com/20150511_pakistan-inducts-improved-shorad-missiles-acquired-from-china.html
  21. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/HQ-7
  22. https://naval-encyclopedia.com/cold-war/china/type-053h3-jiangwei-ii-class-frigates-1997.php
  23. https://www.popsci.com/china-refits-older-warships-for-bigger-punch/
  24. http://www.china.org.cn/china/military/2008-07/07/content_15966851.htm
  25. https://defence-blog.com/chinese-hq-7b-air-defense-missile-systems-in-realistic-training/
  26. https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/sr-517_threshold-alliance-china-pakistan-military-relationship.pdf
  27. https://iranpress.com/content/47724/air-defense-systems-ya-zahra-herz-9-effective-against-low-altitude-threats
  28. https://www.uskowioniran.com/2013/05/herz-9-short-range-anti-air-missile.html
  29. https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/india-pakistan-military-crisis-a-testing-ground-for-chinese-military-hardware/
  30. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2024/august/defense-cooperation-and-operational-flexibility-case-bangladesh
  31. https://www.bdmilitary.com/defence-news/defence-industry/bangladesh-army-upgrading-its-chinese-made-shorad-systems/198/
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