September 7, 2026

The Pakistan Air Force unveiled China's HQ-17AE short-range air defense system in a promotional video posted on X on Monday. A Chinese military affairs expert said Pakistan has become yet another international user of the system, which will help address the country's current gap in short-range accompanying air defense and enhance its capability to counter low-altitude threats such as drones.

Previously, Pakistan had already equipped and deployed China's HQ-9 long-range air defense systems, including the HQ-9/P and HQ-9BE variants, Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times.

At the same time, Pakistan has introduced China's HQ-16 series air defense systems, ranging from the LY-80 to the extended-range HQ-16FE/AE, which together form the backbone of Pakistan's Army and Air Force regional medium-to-long-range air defense network, Wang said.

Read more:https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202609/1370013.shtml