Egypt deploys chinese HQ-9B air defense system, equivalent to Russian S-400 PHOTO

Egypt has acquired the Chinese-made HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile system, which is regarded as an equivalent to Russia’s S-400 system. 

This development was revealed by military expert Samir Farag, a retired general in the Egyptian army, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

This is the first time such information has been disclosed, marking a significant milestone in Egypt's air defense capabilities. The revelation confirms that the Egyptian military is utilizing the advanced HQ-9B system, which underscores the country's strategic move to diversify its sources of military equipment and rely on long-range systems with cutting-edge technology.

The HQ-9B is an upgraded version of the HQ-9 (which is comparable to the Russian S-300 system) and has an impressive range of up to 300 kilometers. The system is known for its advanced capabilities in defending against a wide array of aerial threats.

One key feature of the HQ-9B is its enhanced missile capacity. The latest version of the system is capable of carrying up to eight smaller "surface-to-air" missiles per launcher, doubling the previous capacity of four larger missiles. This increase in missile load strengthens the system’s ability to counter multiple targets simultaneously.

Additionally, the upgrade highlights the HQ-9B's enhanced resilience in various threat scenarios, with improvements aimed at bolstering its defense against short-term threats. The inclusion of additional layers of protection makes the system more adaptable to rapidly changing combat environments.

It is important to note that before this revelation, there had been no official information confirming the presence of these missile systems in Egypt’s arsenal. Neither China nor Egypt had disclosed the use of the HQ-9B by the Egyptian military, making this announcement a significant development in Egypt’s air defense strategy.