Uzbekistan boosts air defence with cutting-edge Chinese missile systems PHOTO

Uzbekistan is ramping up its air defence capabilities with advanced Chinese-made missile systems, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

During a recent visit to the Innovation Technology Center of the Uzbek Defence Industry Agency, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inspected new military developments, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Among the highlights were two sophisticated air defence systems — KS-1C and FM-90—both of Chinese origin. Their presence confirmed that Uzbekistan has officially added these systems to its arsenal, reinforcing its efforts to diversify military procurement.

For decades, Uzbekistan relied on Soviet and later Russian defence technology. However, in recent years, it has expanded its military partnerships, particularly with China and Türkiye. The acquisition of the KS-1C and FM-90 air defence systems marks another step in that direction, providing the country with modern capabilities to counter aerial threats.

The KS-1C is a medium-range air defence system, an advanced version of the Chinese HQ-12. It can take down airborne targets at distances of 5 to 50 kilometres and altitudes of 500 meters to 25 kilometres.

Equipped with an H-200 passive phased-array radar, it can detect threats up to 70 kilometres away. The missile itself weighs 900 kilograms, carries a 100-kilogram warhead, and reaches speeds of Mach 3 (1,200 meters per second), making it a formidable weapon against hostile aircraft.

Meanwhile, the FM-90, an export variant of the HQ-7B, is designed for short-range air defence. Based on the French Crotale missile system, the FM-90 is engineered to intercept fast-moving targets like fighter jets and drones. With a range of 8 to 15 kilometres, it features a high-speed solid-fuel rocket motor and can be guided via infrared or command targeting.

By integrating both the KS-1C and FM-90, Uzbekistan is significantly enhancing its air defence network. This dual-layered approach ensures protection against a wide range of threats, from low-flying drones to high-altitude aircraft, reinforcing the nation’s military readiness in an increasingly complex security landscape.

By Tamilla Hasanova