China’s New HQ-19 Missile Defense System Might Be Better than America’s Best
At least on paper, China has created a better air defense system than even the mightiest American system. This is a major problem for U.S. forces in the Pacific.
The United States remains the dominant world military power. But other powers, notably the People’s Republic of China, are catching up. Both Russia and China are outpacing the Americans in the development of hypersonic weapons.
And just when Washington was starting to make headway on its own hypersonic weapons capabilities, China has now come forward with an air defense capability that can allegedly shoot down hypersonic weapons.
This is a notable development, because the reason that the three dominant global powers—the United States, China, and Russia—have competed to deploy the best hypersonic weapons was due to the lack of reliable defenses against these weapons. Now comes China with its Hongqi-19(HQ-19) advanced anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system to upend that assumption.
And, while Russia is working on similar systems, the Americans seem to be left behind in the dust.
All About the HQ-19 System
HQ-19 was first unveiled at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow in China. Often compared to the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, the HQ-19 represents a significant step in China’s efforts to bolster its strategic defense capabilities.
Designed to intercept ballistic missiles in their midcourse and terminal phases, both within and beyond the atmosphere, the HQ-19 showcases cutting-edge technology that may position it as a formidable competitor, or even the superior alternative, to the expensive and complex THAAD system.
China developed their new, formidable HQ-19 system under the “863 Program” in the late 1990s. The HQ-19 is a surface-to-air missile system mounted on an eight-by-eight high-mobility truck, equipped with a six-missile launcher configuration. It employs a cold-launch system, firing missiles at a steep angle to optimize interception trajectories. The system integrates advanced radar technology, notably the powerful Type 610A radar, which boasts a detection range of up to 2,485 miles.
The missile itself is powered by a two-stage, dual-pulse solid rocket engine with carbon-fiber construction and N-15B propellant, enabling a specific impulse of 260 seconds and maneuverability at forces up to 60-g. HQ-19’s guidance system features an infrared seeker with side windows to minimize atmospheric interference, paired with radar for precise targeting.
HQ-19’s reported intercept range extends to 1,864 miles. What’s more, the system can engage targets at altitudes exceeding 124 miles, and at speeds greater than 22,369 miles per hour.
This is why so many American defense officials are rightly concerned that HQ-19 is able to intercept incoming hypersonic weapons. There are further fears among American strategists that, at the speeds and altitudes this system can intercept, HQ-19 could be used to destroy satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
HQ-19 Versus THAAD: A Head-to-Head Comparison
The South China Morning Post has made the argument that the HQ-19 is a “more competent rival to the US Army’s THAAD” air defense system.
By way of comparison, the THAAD system was developed by Lockheed Martin and is a cornerstone of U.S. missile defense technology, designed to intercept short-and-medium-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase. This system operates using a “hit-to-kill” kinetic kill vehicle (KKV), relying on direct impact to neutralize threats.
THAAD’s interceptor has a range of approximately 124 miles and altitude capability of up to 93 miles, with a shut-off speed of around 6,263 miles per hour. Its AN/TPY-2 radar provides a detection range of up to 621 miles in terminal mode, extendable to around 1,864 miles in forward-based mode when networked with other systems. THAAD is deployed to places like South Korea and Guam, to better complicate both China’s and North Korea’s ability to threaten the United States and its allies in the region.
While THAAD is a proven system with a track record of successful intercepts, HQ-19 exhibits several characteristics that—if true—would make it better than THAAD in key areas.
First, the HQ-19’s extended range vastly exceeds that of THAAD’s. This reach allows the HQ-19 system to engage incoming ballistic missiles much farther out than does the THAAD. Thus, the HQ-19 could provide China with a strategic advantage, enabling preemptive intercepts over a broader operational area, such as the South China Sea or contested border regions. Moreover, the HQ-19’s altitude capability—124 miles—surpasses the THAAD’s ceiling of just 93 miles.
Therefore, the HQ-19 offers China far more flexibility than the THAAD offers the US and its allies. Plus, its radar system is said to be superior to the THAAD’s radar system. In terms of raw detection, for example, the HQ-19’s Type 610A 2,485-mile range dwarfs the AN/TPY-2s 621-mile range. Beyond that, for the AN/TPY-2’s range to be expanded, it requires integration with other US or NATO systems. HQ-19 can do it all in one go.
China is Beating America in Missile Defense
So, at least on paper, China has created a better air defense system than even the mightiest American system. This is a major problem for U.S. forces—which are throwing all their resources into developing systems that can strike targets from over the horizon.
Furthermore, China’s possession of more advanced hypersonic weapons than what the Americans have, paired now with a system that could stop incoming American hypersonic weapons, means that China has considerable tactical advantages over the Americans.
These advantages will be difficult for an America with a weak defense industrial base and poor leadership of its elephantine defense sector. And for U.S. forces tasked with helping to deter a Chinese attack on Taiwan, there is no clear answer to the HQ-19.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Naeblys.