FB-10

HQ-13 (Chinese: 飞豹-10) is a mobile short-range air defense missile system developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The improved variant, called FB-10A, entered the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) service with the designation HQ-13 (Chinese: 红旗-13).

Development and design

The FB-10 was showcased at the Zhuhai Airshow 2012. The FB-10 was described as a spin-stabilized missile with a imaging infrared (IIR) homing seeker.

At the 2016 Zhuhai Airshow, the FB-10 missile was seen mounted on a 6x6 transporter erector launcher (TEL) platform, which additionally mounts a phased array radar, optical sensor, and eight missile tubes. The engagement range is 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), and the engagement altitude is from 15 to 5,000 meters (49 to 16,404 feet). According to Chinese sources, the FB-10 missile is similar to the HQ-10 rolling airframe missile system with infrared/radar dual mode hybrid guidance system.

The FB-10A (PLA designation: HQ-13) missile has a range of 18 km (11 mi), an engagement altitude of 7,500 m (24,600 ft), and a dual-mode guidance system that consists of radio command and imaging infrared (IIR) homing. The radio and IIR guidance allow the missile to be more resistant against countermeasures.

The HQ-13 air defense system is mounted on the common Dongfeng Mengshi chassis. An air defense battery consists of one command vehicle and six launch vehicles. The command vehicle carries an active electronically scanned array (AESA) search radar with 50 km (31 mi) range, while the launch vehicles carries a targeting radar and an electro-optical tracking system. The missile launch vehicle variant carries eight HQ-13 (FB-10A) missiles, while the gun-missile vehicle (SWS3) variant carries a 35mm single-barrel autocannon with two HQ-13 (FB-10A) missiles. The missile systems are supplemented by the OW5-A10 high-energy laser weapon system to form a layered air defense network for People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) light combined arms brigades.

Mounted platforms

FB-10 System
FB-10 missile is a type of fire-and-forget air defense missile with an imaging infrared (IIR) guidance system. It can be mounted on a truck.
Mengshi FB-10A Launch System
Air defense vehicle based on the Dongfeng Mengshi 6x6 chassis. The vehicle features a phased array radar, an optical sensor turret, and eight FB-10A missiles.
Mengshi SWS3/LD35L
Air defense gun-missile system mounted on Dongfeng Mengshi 6×6 wheeled chassis. The Aramanets consist of a 35mm single-barrel autocannon and two launchers for FB-10A. The sensor suite onboard includes an electro-optical turret and a phased-array radar. This vehicle is in service with PLAGF's light combined arms brigades.
Type 05 Air Defense Vehicle
Eight HQ-13 missiles mounted on the Type 05 amphibious fighting vehicle chassis. The vehicle features an integrated radar and optics mast for search and tracking.
SWS2/LD35
Air defense vehicle SHORAD gun/missile system based on the VN-1 chassis. Before 2024, it featured a 35 mm cannon and four TY-90 surface-to-air missiles. In 2024, the SWS2 air defense system was updated to use an unmodified VN-1 chassis with a remotely-controlled turret. The turret has the same 35 mm cannon, but the missiles are replaced with six FB-10A.
Type 625E
Air defense vehicle with a 6-barrel 25 mm Gatling gun and eight FB-10A or FN-16 short-range missiles, mounted on an off-road capable 8x8 truck chassis.

Missile variants

FB-10
original variant first displayed in 2016 in a 6x6 truck chassis.
FB-10A
Lightweight variant for improved air mobility, first displayed in 2021 on a new 6x6 Dongfeng Menshi chassis.
HQ-13
Domestic version of the FB-10A missile.

Operational history

In October 2025, the anti-government Rapid Support Forces of Sudan claimed they had shot down a Sudanese military Bayraktar Akinci drone with the FB-10A.

Operators

 China

 Sudan

 Chad

Specifications (FB-10A)

Reference

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "FB Series". Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
  2. 1 2 "红旗13导弹首次曝光！一车八弹性能强悍，曾在北非击落土耳其战机". NatEase News. 26 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 "红旗-13导弹曝光：将成轻型机械化旅标配？ 提高我军野战防空能力". NatEase News. 26 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "权威专家解读航展FN16、FB10和LY80三款导弹". China News Service. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "China pushes SAM". janes.com. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  6. ↑ "中国"野兽"防空系统亮相，火力与机动完美结合，逆袭近程防空". Tencent News. 2 December 2022.
  7. ↑ "中国FB-10防空导弹进入定型试验". SohuNews. 15 March 2018.
  8. 1 2 Safronov, Taras (10 November 2025). "China Created Amphibious Version of HQ-13 to Support Landing on Islands". Militarnyi.
  9. 1 2 3 "China equips light brigades with SWS3 air defense systems to counter drones during reconnaissance missions". armyrecognition. 28 May 2025.
  10. ↑ 馬浩亮 (24 November 2025). "軍事周刊 紅旗20紅外複合制導　隱身戰機剋星". Ta Kung Pao.
  11. ↑ "性能最强！央视首次曝光红旗-13，刚在苏丹实战击落战机". Sina News. 26 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "China unveils FB-10A short-range air defense missile system". armyrecognition. 27 December 2021.
  13. ↑ Foss, Christopher F. (6 July 2016). "China develops SWS2 mobile air-defence system". janes.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  14. 1 2 "这是执念深重啊！单管35毫米转膛高射炮再升级！换底盘，改炮塔，防空导弹数量加倍". xinghuozhiku. 6 November 2024.
  15. ↑ "China offers new SWS2 35mm air defense system as cost-effective alternative to Russia's Pantsir S1". armyrecognition. 5 November 2024.
  16. ↑ Helfrich, Emma (18 November 2022). "This Is China's Beastly New Air Defense Vehicle". The Drive.
  17. ↑ "China tests Type 625E short-range air defense system to challenge Russian Pantsir systems". armyrecognition. 3 June 2024.
  18. ↑ "China unveils new LY-70 mobile short/medium-range air defense missile system".
  19. ↑ Safronov, Taras (7 October 2025). "Rebels in Sudan Shoot Down Turkish Akinci Drone After Allegedly Receiving Chinese Air Defense System". Militarnyi.
  20. 1 2 Sato, Daisuke (25 October 2025). "China fields new short-range air defense system". Defense Blog.
  21. ↑ "FB-10A". CN defense.