"The HHQ-9C shipborne air defense missile mainly counter attacks from high-altitude, high-speed and high-value anti-ship weapons such as ballistic missiles," military affairs expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times. He said that modern anti-ship missiles tend to become hypersonic-capable, and the HHQ-9 could intercept them, with higher maritime antiballistic missile efficiency.
"As a long-range maritime air defense missile, the HHQ-9C's size is well controlled, so more of them can be fitted into Chinese warships' vertical launch systems, providing more munition reserves," Zhang said.
As a medium-range shipborne air defense missile, the HQ-16C could complement the HHQ-9C, Zhang said. Since the size of the HQ-16C is small, it can be loaded into vertical launch systems of frigates in large numbers and effectively intercept subsonic and supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, he said.