Introduction
The HHQ-9 is a naval SAM system of Chinese origin. The HHQ-9 is the first indigenous Chinese long range naval SAM system. The design of this system is based on both the Soviet S-300F and the indigenous land based HQ-9, which is derived from the Soviet S-300P series.
Design
The missiles in the HHQ-9 system are similar, or even identical, to the ones used in the land based HQ-9 system. The overall design of the missiles is very similar to the Soviet 5V55 and 48N6 missiles. The long sleek missiles have four fins at the base and uses thrust vector control as steering mechanism, which looks somewhat different from Soviet designs.
Guidance
There is little certainty regarding guidance on the HHQ-9. Early reports indicated TVM guidance with inertial navigation augmented with mid course updates. However, given the sensor suite on the launch platforms the HHQ-9 is believed to have an active radar homing seeker.
Firepower
The HHQ-9 is stated to have a maximum range of over 100 km, at least against subsonic targets at altitude. The HHQ-9 is likely to be able to engage sea skimming missiles, although minimum effective altitude is not known. The warhead on the missile is fitted with a proximity fuse.
Platforms
The HHQ-9A system equips the Type-052C class of destroyers. Six of these ships were built. The HHQ-9B is used on Type-052D and Type-055 destroyers. By 2019 a total of 8 Type-052D were completed out of the 24 planned. The first Type-055 class destroyer was commissioned in 2020.