Uzbekistan conducts integrated air defence exercise using Chinese missile systems

Uzbekistan’s armed forces have conducted a live-fire air defence exercise involving multiple Chinese-made surface-to-air missile systems, according to official footage and statements released after the drill.

The exercise featured coordinated launches from three Chinese systems: the long-range FD-2000B, the medium-range KS-1C, and the short-range FM-90. The missiles were fired as part of an integrated training scenario designed to test detection, tracking, and engagement of aerial targets across different altitude and range bands, Defence Blog writes. 

Rather than evaluating individual platforms in isolation, the drill focused on interoperability and coordinated command-and-control operations. The FD-2000B, an export variant of China’s HQ-9 air defence system, was used to simulate long-range interception missions, while the KS-1C provided medium-range coverage. The FM-90 system was employed for close-range defence against low-altitude threats.

Military and technology analyst Shahryar Pasandideh noted that China generally exports downgraded or export-specific versions of its People’s Liberation Army systems, retaining certain operational modes for domestic use. The systems operated by Uzbekistan are believed to be export configurations, in line with China’s standard arms transfer practices.

The FD-2000B is designed to engage aircraft, cruise missiles, and other aerial targets at extended ranges. The KS-1C uses radar-guided interceptors to provide medium-range air defence, while the FM-90, derived from earlier Chinese short-range systems, is intended to protect critical infrastructure and maneuvering forces from low-flying aircraft and precision-guided munitions.

Pasandideh also highlighted the reputational and security risks Beijing faces when exporting advanced air defence systems, particularly to countries with limited technical oversight or persistent corruption challenges. Even without direct technology transfer to adversaries, operational use during exercises can attract attention from foreign intelligence services.

China has increasingly positioned itself as a supplier of layered air defence solutions to developing and middle-income countries, offering short-, medium-, and long-range systems as alternatives to Russian or Western equipment. These offerings often appeal to states constrained by cost, political considerations, or delivery timelines.

For Uzbekistan, the exercise underscores efforts to develop a multi-tier air defence network capable of countering a range of airborne threats, including aircraft, unmanned systems, and cruise missiles. The combined use of multiple missile systems in a single drill suggests a growing emphasis on integration and networked air defence operations.

By Sabina Mammadli