The HQ-22 air defence system is a second generation development of the HQ-12 missile.[2] It is intended as a low-cost replacement for the HQ-2.[1]
The missile is "wingless" compared to the preceding HQ-12.[2] The missile uses semi-active radar guidance to reduce cost, and may switch to radio command guidance in an environment with "strong electronic interference".[1]
A HQ-22 unit includes four to eight transporter erector launchers, each with four missiles.[1] The radar vehicle reportedly permits six targets to be engaged simultaneously.[3][4]
The missile system has been widely compared to the United States' Patriot and Russia's mobile long range S-300 surface-to-air missile system. Although it has a shorter range than S-300 variants such as the S-300PMU-2, it is thought to benefit from superior electronic countermeasures (ECM) and superior capabilities against stealth targets at shorter ranges.[4]
Variants
HQ-22: Chinese domestic variant with speed of Mach 6 and a range of 170 kilometres (110 mi).[1]
FK-3: Export variant with speed of Mach 6 and a maximum range of 100 kilometres (62 mi).[1]
Serbia purchased the FK-3, the export variant, in 2019; they were delivered by PLAAF Xi'an Y-20 transport aircraft and entered service in April 2022.[6] They were the first Chinese medium- or long-range air defence system exported to Europe.[7]
In April 2021, India reported that China had deployed the HQ-22 near eastern Ladakh.[8]
