Name: HQ-16
Role: Medium Range Air Defence System
Variants: HQ-16A, HQ-16B, LY-80 (export version), HHQ-16 (naval version)
Country of Origin: China
Role: Medium Range Air Defence System
Radars:
• L-Band passive phased-array radar; range of 85 km
• S-Band 3-D passive phased-array radar; range of 140 km
• Semi-active homing seeker

Overview:
The HQ-16 is a Chinese origin medium range air defense system. It is a modified form of Russian Buk air defense system. In HQ-16, 6 missiles are carried on a TEL instead of 4 carried by Buk. Missile of the HQ-16 evolved from the Soviet 9M38 missile, used by the Buk. However the Chinese missile is more capable than its predecessor. This air defense system can engage aircrafts, helicopters, UAVs and missiles including cruise missiles. A typical formation consists of one command vehicle, one search radar vehicle, 3 radar guidance vehicles and 12 launch vehicles. Each launch vehicle carries up to 6 missiles. The radar detects enemy aircraft at a range of 140 km and altitude of 20 km. The radar can detect up to 144 and track up to 48 targets simultaneously. This air defense system can engage very low flying and high altitude targets. It can reach targets at an altitude of up to 18 km. reportedly; it has hit probability of an aircraft with a single missile is 85%. Hit probability of a cruise missile is 60%.
People’s Liberation Army Ground Force inducted HQ-16A in 2011.

The PLA’s HQ-16 during live fire exercises last year.

Pakistan and LY-80:

Pakistan ordered 3 systems of LY-80 in 2013-14 and six more in 2014-15. In 2017, Pakistan inducted 1st batch. Pakistan also tested this system in different military exercises.

LY-80 at Pakistan Day Parade

Pakistani Orders:
2013-14:
8 IBIS-150 Radars and 3 LY-80 systems: USD $265.77 million

2014-15:
6 LY-80 systems: $373.23 million

HQ-16 in naval dominance:
The naval version of the HQ-16 is known as HHQ-16. Chinese Type-054A frigates are equipped with naval version of HQ-16. Moreover, Type-54AP frigates of Pakistan are also has this air defense system. Type-55 destroyers are also equipped with HHQ-16 (Naval version).p

System Configuration:
A LY-80 battery consists of four launcher vehicles (each with six missiles), a command post, two radar vehicles, missile transport and reloading vehicles and power supply vehicles.


Typical HQ-16/LY-80 battery composition

Engagement Range:
HQ-16A: 40 km
HQ-16B/ HHQ-16: 50-70 km

© Umair Aslam / Global Defense Insight Reproducing this content in full without permission is prohibited.

About Author: Umair Aslam is doing BS International Relations at National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad. He is analyst at Pakistan Strategic Forum. He is founder of a web-based defense news platform Global Strategic Insight. He writes about arms race in South Asia, Military Equipment, CBRN, International Relations and strategic affairs.

Follow Umair Aslam on Twitter: @Defense785