Pakistan challenges India's air superiority with Chinese weapons
The Chinese-made HQ-9BE long-range air defense system deployed by Pakistan is changing the strategic balance in South Asia.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•21/08/2025
On August 16, 2025, military sources in the South Asian region confirmed that Pakistan had put into service the HQ-9BE surface-to-air missile system, an advanced export version of China. This move, although not officially announced by Islamabad, shows Pakistan's efforts to strengthen its air defense capabilities in the context of increasingly tense strategic competition with India. The HQ-9BE is an improved variant of the original HQ-9, developed by the China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC). The system inherits technology from Russia's S-300 and the US Patriot, but has been optimized to achieve a range of 260 km, surpassing many existing air defense systems in South Asia.
One of the key highlights of the HQ-9BE is its multi-layered interception capability against a wide range of targets, from fighter aircraft, strategic bombers, to cruise missiles and large UAVs. The advanced radar integration system can detect and track targets from a distance, even in complex electronic warfare environments. Compared to previous versions, the HQ-9BE is equipped with an active guidance radar, allowing for increased accuracy and resistance to jamming. In addition, the system can operate simultaneously with multiple radar units and vertical launchers, creating a dense defensive fire net covering Pakistan's strategic airspace. In its current air defense architecture, Pakistan already possesses short- and medium-range systems such as the HQ-16FE and LY-80. The addition of the HQ-9BE creates a multi-layered, strategic-depth air defense network that allows Islamabad to protect key targets and extend its anti-access zone far beyond its borders. From a strategic perspective, the HQ-9BE offers a clear advantage to Pakistan. It not only protects the capital Islamabad, the military hub of Rawalpindi and key air bases, but also creates a buffer zone against air attacks. This forces India to adjust its operational plans and target selection in the event of a conflict. For the Indian Air Force (IAF), the HQ-9BE poses a significant challenge. Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, which are central to the surveillance network, now have to fly farther to avoid a kill zone. Similarly, Su-30MKI or Rafale squadrons, carrying long-range weapons, face greater risks if operating in the vicinity of Pakistan.
In addition to manned aircraft, the HQ-9BE also poses a serious threat to India's ability to deploy long-range UAVs and cruise missiles. This significantly reduces the effectiveness of preemptive strikes, which are considered an advantage in New Delhi's military doctrine.
Pakistan’s acquisition of the HQ-9BE also reflects its deepening cooperation with China. The system is designed to integrate with modern command and control centers, allowing Pakistan to deploy a synchronized multi-layered defense. The ability to share real-time sensor data enhances the accuracy and speed of the air defense force’s response.
Regionally, the emergence of the HQ-9BE complicates the South Asian security environment. India is forced to consider investing more heavily in electronic warfare systems, stealth aircraft, and Suppression of Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD) capabilities to maintain its inherent air superiority. This could be the driving force behind a high-tech arms race between the two countries.
International observers also believe that Pakistan, by deploying the HQ-9BE, is sending a clear strategic deterrence message: Islamabad is ready to prevent any intrusion into its airspace. This system helps to strengthen the confidence of Pakistan’s military leadership in its defense capabilities, while enhancing its position in security dialogues with India.
With the HQ-9BE, Pakistan not only strengthens its air defense capabilities, but also changes the strategic balance in South Asia. India, which once had absolute superiority in the air, now faces an opponent with a modern "steel shield". In the context of increasing regional tensions, the presence of the HQ-9BE will certainly make the South Asian security environment more competitive and unstable than ever.
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