• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

China debuts HQ-29 antiballistic missile weapon at V-Day military parade

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun, Fan Wei and Liang Rui Published: Sep 03, 2025 12:17 PM

At China's V-Day military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, an air defense formation composing of six types of air defense and antiballistic missile equipment was reviewed, with many of them making their debut.

A military affairs expert told the Global Times that the debut of the multi-course and multi-layer antiballistic missile weapons in a systematic manner means that China has become one of the few countries in the world with a complete antiballistic missile system, which has significant strategic significance.

The HQ-11, HQ-20, HQ-22A, HQ-9C, HQ-19, HQ-29 - Six types of equipment reviewed this time are all making their debut in Tiananmen Square. They can carry out long-range, medium range, and short-range air defense missions and multiple course, multi-layer antiballistic missile interception, building a solid barrier for air and aerospace defense, safeguarding the peace and stability of the country.

Previously, the HQ-11 and HQ-22 were showcased at the 15th Airshow China in 2024. The HQ-11 was described as a terminal defense weapon, mainly used to intercept air to surface missiles, guided bombs, cruise missiles, as well as fixed wing combat aircraft, helicopters and other air strike weapons, providing mid to low-altitude and short-range terminal defense for high-value targets. The HQ-22 is mainly responsible for mid to high altitude and medium-range air defense missions, and can intercept aerodynamic targets such as third-generation combat aircraft, attack helicopters, and mid to high-altitude drones. It has strong anti-interference and mobile combat capabilities.

"Among the six types of antiballistic missile and air defense equipment showcased this time, the HQ-11,HQ-20 and the HQ-22A are mainly used for air defense operations," military affairs expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times. He said that these three types of air defense missiles are mainly aimed at intercepting airborne targets such as fixed wing aircraft, drones, and conventional cruise missiles, and can achieve efficient and low-cost interception.

Unlike the previous surface-to-air missile HQ-9B, the HQ-9C has a smaller missile diameter and adopts a "one launcher vehicle, eight missiles" configuration. Zhang said that the HQ-9C is mainly used for air defense operations within the atmosphere, but can also perform terminal low altitude antiballistic missile missions, and it can intercept some medium and short-range ballistic missiles, assuming a "point defense" role in antiballistic missile operations.

The HQ-19 was first unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China. This type of antiballistic missile system is mainly used for regional interception of ballistic missile targets in the terminal stage at high altitudes, with the interception altitude and range greatly expanded. It has the characteristics of large coverage of combat protection areas and strong ability to penetrate defenses. It is the backbone equipment of China's national air defense anti-missile operations, Zhang said.

Compared to the HQ-19, the missile of the HQ-29, making its debut, has a significantly larger and longer body. Two missiles are transported by a launcher vehicle with six sets of wheels.

"With a larger missile body, HQ-29 can further expand the scope of China's antiballistic missile operations," Zhang said. While the HQ-29 can also intercept hostile missiles outside the atmosphere, unlike conducting regional interception in the upper terminal phase like the HQ-19, the HQ-29 can intercept ballistic missiles in the mid-course phase, mainly targeting high-value ballistic missiles with longer ranges, Zhang said, citing the size of the HQ-29.

The Chinese defense ministry has previously announced multiple times that China had conducted technical tests for land-based mid-course antiballistic missile interception, achieving expected goals. The tests were of defensive in nature and not targeted at any country.

"It is worth mentioning that the HQ-29 can achieve mobile launch through launcher vehicles. By comparison, the main land-based mid-course antiballistic missile systems currently used by other countries in the world are silo-based, with relatively fixed launch positions. The launch position of the HQ-29 can be flexibly deployed to respond to threats from different directions," Zhang added.

The first collective appearance of the multi-course and multi-layer antiballistic missile interception system means that China has become one of the few countries in the world with a complete antiballistic missile system, Zhang said. "Their appearance is not only a concentrated display of China's strategic defense capabilities, but also a display of strategic deterrence. With complete antiballistic missile means, China can significantly contain the enemy's strategic strike capabilities, which is of great significance," he said.