HQ-16

HQ-16 / LY-80
HQ-16A ground launcher
TypeSurface-to-air missile
Place of originPeople's Republic of China
Service history
In service2008–present
Used byPrimary user: China
See Operators section for others
Production history
ManufacturerShanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST)
Specifications
Detonation
mechanism
impact / proximity
Enginerocket motor
Propellantsolid fuel
Operational
range
40 kilometres (25 mi) (HQ-16/HQ-16A) (slant)
70 kilometres (43 mi) (HQ-16B)
160 kilometres (99 mi) (HQ-16FE)
Flight altitude15m to 27km (HQ-16FE)
Guidance
system
Semi-active radar homing
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher Ship

The HQ-16 (simplified Chinese: 红旗-16; traditional Chinese: 紅旗-16; pinyin: Hóng Qí-16; lit. 'Red Banner-16'; NATO reporting name: CH-SA-16) is a Chinese medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It is derived from earlier versions of the Russian Buk missile system.

Development

Development began in 2005, and was reportedly assisted by the Almaz-Antey Corporation. It was initially developed as a naval system. In late-2011, China reported the "co-development between Russia and China" of the missile was complete.

The HQ-16B was developed by late-2011.

A ground battery consists of a command post, two multifunction radars, and four to six launchers. Each launcher has six missiles.

The HQ-16 is effective in intercepting tactical ballistic missiles.

Operational history

The platform for the HHQ-16, the Type 054A frigate, entered service in 2008. The HQ-16A entered service in 2011.

The HQ-16A entered Chinese service in 2011.

Pakistan entered negotiations to purchase the missile in 2015. The LY-80s entered service with the Pakistan Army in March 2017. HQ-16s were integrated into a networked air defense system and deployed during the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict.

Variants

Naval HHQ-16 vertical launchers onboard Type 054A frigate.
HQ-16 missile (left) on display at the PLA Naval Museum in Qingdao.
HQ-16A
Original land-based variant with a range of 40 kilometres (25 mi).
HHQ-16
Naval variant, reportedly a domestic-produced variant of the 9M317ME missile.
HQ-16B
Improved variant with slant range exceeding 70 kilometres (43 mi).
HQ-16C
Improved variant with slant range exceeding 70 kilometres (43 mi).
HHQ-16C
Improved extended-range naval variant.
LY-80
Export variant.
LY-80N
Export naval variant.
HQ-16FE
Improved variant with range up to 160 kilometres (99 mi).

Operators

 China
 Pakistan

See also