aurelianpilled
Registered Member
Actually, yes, I believe that this could be a fact here, not that the system is subpar, but since China does not offer anything in a similar category (highly mobile, terminal SHORAD for key point defense of air bases and critical static infrastructure) that is this mature, has any domestic PLA backing (such as the Sky Dragon/Yitian series AD systems, with HQ-11 being an exception here), and has an active production pipeline to mass produce the equipment/missiles.
I have done some thorough research and found out that this is our only option available in the Chinese market in this category that is this advanced, highly mobile, operationally mature, and has been inducted by many countries, hence being in mass production.
The only other option in a similar category, i.e., Terminal SHORAD for stationary key point defense, has to be the HQ-11 AD system, which already comes with a land based LD-3000 CIWS, but it is not mature enough yet. It was revealed recently in 2022, compared to the HQ-17AE in 2018-2019. It was officially shown as being in active service with the PLA during the 2025 Victory Day parade, so it is likely going through a phase where the PLA will refine/mature the system first before foreign countries start evaluating it. Going straight towards the new HQ-11/FM-3000 system would ultimately be a massive strategic gamble for a country like us since we would be placing them straight near our air bases to prepare for the next war high intensity with India.
EDIT: I forgot to add that, yes, CASIC (the manufacturer) explicitly markets the HQ-17AE as a dual-role system designed to be deployed for static infrastructure point defense as well:
"1) Field Air Defense: Accompanying armored columns.
2) Key-Point Air Defense: Protecting airports, ports, military bases, and command centers."
