China deploys HQ-16A air defence missile

If deployed closer to Taiwan, the new medium-range, vertical launch air defense system could be used against the low-flying Hsiung Feng IIE cruise missile Taiwan is now mass-producing

The People's Liberation Army Daily confirmed in late September that a new medium-range surface-to-air missile system has become fully operational and been delivered to the Shenyang Military Region.

According to reports, the vertical-launch Hongqi-16A ('Red Flag-16'/HQ-16A/紅旗-16A) air defence missile system can engage aerial targets at altitudes up to 30,000 m as well as very-low-flying targets, including land attack cruise missiles (LACMs), within a range of approximately 40 km.

My article, published today in Jane's Defence Weekly, continues here (subscription required).