| HQ-19 | |
|---|---|
 HQ-19 in 2024 Zhuhai Airshow | |
| Type | Surface to air missile Anti-Ballistic Missile Anti-Satellite missile |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2018 - present |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Developed from | HQ-9 |
| Produced | 1990s-Present |
| Specifications | |
| Flight altitude | 200 km |
Launch platform | TAS5380TEL |
TheHQ-19 (simplified Chinese:红旗-19;traditional Chinese:紅旗-19;pinyin:Hóng Qí-19;lit. 'Red Banner/Flag-19', NATO reporting name:CH-AB-2) is ananti-ballistic missile (ABM) andanti-satellite weapon (ASAT) system developed by thePeople's Republic of China.[1][2] It's a variant of theHQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile system. The HQ-19 system is designed to countermedium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) andintermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).[3] It targets ballistic missiles in their midcourse and terminal phases, comparable to the USTHAAD.[4]
The missile may have "begun preliminary operations" by 2018.[5]
The HQ-19 was developed under the863 Program, initiated in the late 1990s. The missile was successfully tested in 1999, with multiple reports confirming its capability to hit targets at an altitude of 200 km (120 mi) and speed of 10,000 m/s (33,000 ft/s). Several more tests were conducted in the 2010s, with the Chinese Ministry of National Defense certifying the missile capabilities in 2021.[6] The missile entered limited operation in 2018,[5] and was publicly revealed inZhuhai Airshow in 2024.[7]
On 6 June 2025, Pakistan announced plans to acquire the HQ-19.[8]
The HQ-19 is designed to interceptballistic missiles, counterhypersonic glide vehicle, and engagesatellites, largely comparable to theTHAAD andSM-3 missile systems. The missile is guided by the Type 610A radar with 4,000 km (2,500 mi) of detection range, and the missile itself is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles on the 3,000 km (1,900 mi) range class. The missile uses radar and infrared guidance, with the infrared window mounted on the sides to reduce atmospheric interference. The missile is powered by a two-stage, dual-pulsedsolid rocket engine, allowing the missile to achieve aspecific impulse of 260 seconds. The missile is constructed withcarbon fiber, providing a rigid frame to withstand 60G in maneuvers. The intercept method is a direct impact via the exo-atmospheric kinetic vehicle.[6][9]
The missile was reported to have the capability to interceptmedium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) andintermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) at the terminal stage, while offering limited capability to targetintercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and low-altitude satellites.[3]
