HQ-9 (SA-9) Chinese 8x8 Long-Range Air Defense Missile System

The HQ-9 (SA-9) is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) engineered to attack airborne radars, essentially a surface-to-air anti-radiation missile (ARM) that can target single or multiple electromagnetic radiating systems in the 1-18 GHz band. It is also effective against fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The HQ-9 has limited success against cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Sources conflict in identifying the organization for combat of the HQ-9 battery and battalion. We assess that the following is true: A HQ-9 battery will usually have 8 TELs, 1 HT-233 Radar, and a TWS-312 CP. In addition, associated support vehicles (generator, missile resupply) may be seen in the area. The battery can operate independently of the battalion, as listed above, with some degradation in search capability. This degradation will be eliminated when the organization is deployed as a battalion as this will bring additional radars, including the Type 120 Low Angle Search Radar and the Type 305B Radar. The battalion formation will consist of three batteries (24 TELs), although some sources state that the battalion can control up to 48 TELs. The battalion also deploys with a site survey team, which does not deploy with the battery, missile resupply, and its own TWS 312 Command Post. It is safe to assume that other mission and soldier support items will be found in the area of the HQ-9 formation. The HQ-9 has been designed to utilize several Chinese radars. The assessment above is the most likely deployment course of action.