HQ-22 / FK-3 - Surface-to-Air Missile
The FK-3 is the export version of the PLA's HQ-22. The FK-3/HQ-22 is an all-weather, medium-to-long range surface-to-air defense missile system that can carry out missions in complex electromagnetic environments. It can intercept targets including fixed-wing aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, tactical air-to-ground missiles and helicopters, according to promotional materials distributed at previous defense exhibitions. As a medium-altitude air defense weapon comparable to the US' Patriot air defense missile, the FK-3/HQ-22 missile system can serve as a powerful deterrent against aircraft including fighter jets and bombers that are on missions like defense penetration, precision strikes and bombing The Hongqi-22 air defense missile is one of the main large-scale air defense missiles of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force and is equipped in the Air Force. On October 1, 2019, the Hongqi-22 air defense missile was publicly unveiled at the military parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The HQ-22 is developed by Jiangnan Space Industry, also known as Base 061, part of China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation Limited (CASIC), and represents a deep upgrade of the HQ-12 air defense system.
Among the air defense equipment presented at the exhibition in Zhuhai in November 2016, the self-propelled launcher of the new HQ-22 air defense system was also shown, which looks exactly like the launcher of the export FK-3 air defense system, which was first presented in Zhuhai in 2014 and this time was also exhibited in the pavilion. Judging by the "HQ" index (Hongqi, that is, the Red Banner), this system is a variant of this air defense system, which was already developed for itself, that is, it should enter service with the air defense units of the People's Liberation Army of China. In this case, it can be assumed that this air defense system will come to replace the HQ-12 medium-range air defense system.
The Hongqi-22 air defense missile has been installed in the Air Force and successfully completed the target test. On July 30, 2017, the Hongqi-22 air defense missile was publicly unveiled at a military parade celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. This is the first time that the Hongqi-22 air defense missile had been reviewed.
Despite the fact that this complex is outwardly similar to the HQ-9 long-range air defense system, it differs in that the missiles are launched not vertically, but obliquely. The firing range is up to 100 km, the ceiling of targets hit is up to 27 km, the complex (three launchers) is capable of firing 12 missiles at six targets simultaneously. The missile defense system is equipped with a semi-active radar seeker, the complex was created on the basis of the HQ-12 air defense missile system, but, unlike the basic model, it is equipped with missiles "without wings". In terms of its range, the HQ-22 is in the class of American Patriot-III systems, according to Chinese sources. According to them, the Patriot-3's firing range is 80 km. The firing range of the HQ-9 is 200 km, and in combination with the HQ-22, China is acquiring a modern medium and long-range air defense system.
From 2016 to 2018, the People's Air Force already had 13 battalions of Hongqi-22 missiles. The PLA Hongqi-22 air defense missile battalion is replacing the original Hongqi-2 missile battalion, completing the modernization, motorization, and strategic transition of China's air defense system. According to satellite images, from 2016 to 2018, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) served 13 battalions of the Hongqi-22 air defense missile battalion. Because Hongqi-22 is backward compatible with the Hongqi-2 air defense system, the newly commissioned Hongqi-22 Battalion is mainly deployed on the original Hongqi-2 air defense positions in the central, northern and western theaters of the PLA.
A battalion stationed in Yixian County, southwest of Beijing, was the first to receive the Hongqi-22 air defense system. According to a report by People's Daily Online in November 2016, a certain regiment of the Air Defense Missile Force of China's Air Force used the first set of new air defense missile systems in the whole army in a target shooting and achieved success. The unit was a battalion of a ground-to-air missile regiment that shot down the Vietnamese Air Force MiG-21P reconnaissance plane in 1987. The unit is now stationed in Laishui County, Hebei Province, and is responsible for defending Beijing. Earlier, another report mentioned that the unit is currently in the alternate phase of replacing old equipment with new equipment. When it participated in the shooting exercise, the new equipment entered service for just one month. It can be seen from the photo report that the old equipment used by the unit is still the Hongqi-2 air defense missile used when the Vietnamese reconnaissance plane was shot down.
It is reported that the regiment has achieved the best record of 15 rounds and 15 rounds in the mission that has just ended. It has also achieved the goal of "first victory in the first battle, first installation and first use" of a certain type of surface-to-air missile weapon system in the whole army . It has played the domineering style of "the new heirs of Shenwei" and demonstrated the excellent qualities of "iron fist and ace." It once again proved that it is a team of heroes who can "fight and win battles" and a victorious division who "bears the sword at every enemy and dares to fight and wins", creating a brilliant record of "100% hits" in the history of the regiment.
On October 15, 2018, China Military Network released the news "The Bohai Bay, Weaving "Skynet" with Air Defense Weapon". The news released the photos of the Hongqi-22 air defense missiles for the first time. The Hongqi-22 missile is a new type of equipment of the air force's surface-to-air missile force. In 2016, the People's Liberation Army Daily reported that a certain surface-to-air missile unit stationed in Laishui, Hebei conducted the first target practice of the Hongqi-22 system. However, judging from the published photos, the control system of the Hongqi-22 missile was used at that time, which was "downward compatible" to launch the Hongqi-2 missile. As a new generation of air defense missiles with relatively low price and high combat effectiveness, Hongqi-22 missiles will accelerate the modernization of air defense missile forces.
The Hongqi-22 missile is a missile that uses command guidance and semi-active radar guidance with a dual guidance system, with a range of 120 kilometers. When firing at targets within 75 kilometers, it uses a command guidance system. The reason for adopting such a design is mainly to reduce the cost, so that it can be "downward compatible" to command the Hongqi-2 air defense missile for combat.
The missiles are equipped with a semi-active radar CNS complemented by a two-way radio command line for data transmission. The flight is controlled by a combined guidance system. At the initial stage of flight (up to 75 km) is implemented radio command guidance, at the final - by the method of TVM (Track-via-missile - escort through the missile), combining command guidance with a semi-active. The use of this method of guidance allows to reduce the sensitivity of the system to various measures of electronic counteraction, makes it possible to ensure the flight of the missile on the optimal trajectories and hitting targets with high efficiency.
Launch of the missile is inclined, on its own engine, with the launcher, guided by the angle of space and azimuth. The launcher is equipped with a pivoting part on which a package of 4 transport and launch containers is placed. The missiles are located in the transport and launch containers, which protect against external influences and facilitate maintenance and charging. The PU has a self-contained power supply system.
H-200 multifunctional radar illumination and pointing station, which is a part of HQ-22 and HQ-12 complexes, is offered in different versions. In the demonstrated sample of HQ-22 air defense systems it is made on the platform of TA5450 vehicle with cross-country ability of 25t and 8×8 wheel arrangement. TAS5450 is equipped with a diesel engine Deutz BF6M1015CP with an output of 517 hp and gearbox WSK400 of German company ZF. Power reserve is 800 km, maximum speed is 65 km/h. The machine has a four-door fully protected cabin with air conditioning system. When deployed in combat position, the radar is mounted on hydraulic supports.
Antenna device of H-200 radar is a phased antenna grille of circular rotation with digital control of the beam position. Advanced H-200 provides simultaneous guidance of 12 missiles on six targets. The presence of radio command guidance mode allows to organize interaction with HQ-2 complexes, which are in service with the PLAAF units. On November 22, 2016 the People's Daily reported on successful tests during which HQ-22 SAM system was used to point HQ-2 missiles. Fifteen of the 15 targets were hit.
The main advantage of the Red 22 is that it is cheap, not only the system is cheap, but also the existing missile body and launching equipment can be fully used. In other words, only buying a set of radar provides strong combat power. After all, the number of Hongqi 2 missiles manufactured by China during the Cold War is as high as tens of thousands, and they have not been used up. These old missiles can be used, and save a lot of money. Of course, for the performance of the entire system to reach a complete level, naturally the Red 22 standard missile i required. The export version of the Hongqi-22 missile is called FK-3, which was developed by the 10th Academy of Aerospace Science and Industry of China. The company started by imitating the Hongqi-2 system of the Soviet Union S-75, and successively developed the Hongqi-2 and Hongqi-12 missiles. The export version of the Hongqi-12 was once called KS-1 and later changed to the FK-1 series.
At present, Myanmar, Thailand, Turkmenistan, etc. have purchased and equipped with this series of missiles. According to news from the Serbian media "blic" on November 14, Serbian President Alexander Vucic expressed his desire to purchase three FK-3 air defense missile systems. The purchase details will be finalized during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Serbia in 2019.
Serbia has procured the Chinese FK-3 air defense missile system, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reportedly confirmed on 13 April 2022, after reports emerged on Saturday that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force was delivering the air defense equipment via Y-20 large transport aircraft. As the export version of the PLA's HQ-22, the FK-3 can significantly enhance Serbia's national defense capabilities, at a time when NATO is dividing the world and could complicate the security situation around Serbia, Chinese analysts said. Serbia procured the Chinese FK-3 air defense missile system transparently, complying with laws and regulations, and it followed procedures, Vucic said.
Serbia has been a victim of air raids, so it is natural that the country invests in its air defense capabilities, analysts said. In 1999, NATO launched a 78-day bombing of Yugoslavia, causing thousands of casualties including three Chinese citizens, and displacing hundreds of thousands.
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