The S-400 Triumf is Russia’s premier long-range air defence system, in service since 2007. It can engage modern threats (fighter jets, cruise and ballistic missiles, UAVs) at extreme range and altitude – up to ~400 km (using the 40N6 missile) and about 30 km high. A full S-400 regiment (eight “battalions” or divisions) can control 72 launchers with as many as 384 missiles onboard. Its multi-band radar suite (92N6 fire-control radar, 91N6 panoramic search radar, 96L6 height-finder, etc.) enables the system to track on the order of 100 targets simultaneously and engage dozens at once. Mobility is high: launchers and radars are mounted on wheeled 8×8 transporter erector launchers (TELs) (e.g. MAZ/BAZ chassis) The S-400 uses four interceptor types (9M96E/E2, 48N6/48N6DM/48N6E3, and the long-range 40N6) to cover short (40 km) through very-long (~400 km) ranges. In exercises, it has demonstrated high kill probability and simultaneous engagement of dozens of targets.
Key specifications of the S-400 include:
- Maximum range: ~400 km (with 40N6 missile).
- Altitude coverage: up to ~30 km.
- Radar suite: Phased-array 92N6 fire-control (track ~100 targets up to 300 km), 91N6E 3D acquisition (detection range ~340 km for large targets), 96L6 height radar, plus mobile VHF/UHF (Nebo) units.
- Missiles: Four types (9M96E/9M96E2 for ~40–120 km, 48N6DM/E3 for ~250 km, and 40N6 for 380–400 km). Each TEL carries 4 missiles (the largest 40N6 fits only 2 per launcher).
- Mobility: Tracked/wheeled TELs (MAZ/BAZ 8×8) with hydraulic launch jacks, support vehicles on KAMAZ/MAZ trucks. Battalion C&C and radars are also vehicle-mounted.
- Engagement capacity: A full system can track ≈100–160 targets and engage ~36 targets simultaneously (with up to 72 missiles in flight, 2 per target)
- Operators: Russia (developer/user) and several foreign customers. China was the first export buyer (deal signed 2014, deliveries by 2018). India signed for 5 regiments in 2018 (named “Sudarshan Chakra” in Indian service); as of 2023 three regiments are operational and the last two arrive by 2025. Other users include Turkey (purchased 2017), Belarus, Algeria (reported), and Russian-deployed units in Syria. Serbia has also ordered S-400 batteries (order announced in 2023) and most major Russian regiments are in service. In Ukraine, Russian S-400s have been actively deployed (and some were reportedly hit by Ukrainian strikes in 2023–24).
Chinese HQ-9 (HQ-9P for Pakistan)
The Chinese HQ-9 is a long-range SAM developed from S-300 technology. Pakistan fields a custom variant called HQ-9P (inducted 2021), part of a layered air defense network. Like the S-400, it uses a wheeled TEL with four vertical-launch tubes and a 3D phased-array radar (designated HT-233). The HQ-9P is a high-to-medium range system: it can intercept aircraft out to about 125 km and cruise missiles ~25 km.
Its radar can track ~100 targets and the system can engage roughly 8–10 targets simultaneously (using semi-active/track-via-missile guidance). According to defense analysis, HQ-9P batteries are deployed around key Pakistani cities (e.g. Rawalpindi, Karachi) to protect strategic assets. (Pakistan also displayed a newer HQ-9BE variant in its 2024 parade, with a longer ~260 km range, though details remain sparse.) Each HQ-9P launcher carries 4 missiles (two-stage, radio-command plus active radar terminal guidance). Mobility is 8×8 Taian TEL trucks (similar to Russian S-300’s S-300PT TEL).
Key specifications of the HQ-9P include:
- Maximum range: ~125 km (against aircraft)
- Altitude coverage: roughly 20–25 km (cruise missiles and high-altitude targets; no official figure).
- Radar: HT-233 3D AESA radar (band X/UHF) for target acquisition and fire control; supplementary low-altitude radar (Type 120) may be used.
- Missiles: HQ-9 family SAM (two-stage, semi-active/active guidance); variants reportedly include HQ-9P (Pakistan) and HQ-9BE (extended-range)idrw.org. Four missiles per TEL.
- Mobility: Wheeled TELs (Taian TA-5380 8×8) with hydraulic launch jacks; truck-mounted radar and command post.
- Engagement capacity: Each radar tracks up to ~100 targets; can engage ~8–10 simultaneously(the HT-233 can fire on up to 6 targets at once, two missiles each).
- Operators: Pakistan is the confirmed user of HQ-9P. China’s PLA also fields domestic HQ-9 and variants for homeland air defense. Pakistan’s acquisition (first units operational in 2021) closed a gap in its long-range SAM coverage.
Chinese LY-80 (HQ-16)
The LY-80 (export name for Chinese HQ-16A) is a medium-range mobile SAM, roughly analogous to the Russian Buk M2. It entered PLA service in 2011 and Pakistan inducted multiple LY-80 batteries (ordered ~2014, delivered 2015–16, formally inducted March 2017). The LY-80 uses a 6×6 TEL (Taian TA-5350 chassis) carrying six vertical-launch tubes (two rows of three). Its associated radar suite includes an S-band AESA search radar (IBIS-150, ~150 km range) and multiple L-band tracking radars. The LY-80 can engage aerial targets up to ~40 km away, at altitudes up to roughly 10–18 km. (An improved export version, LY-80EV/HQ-16B, extends range to ~70 km.) Each tracking radar can detect ~6 targets and guide missiles to 4 simultaneously. A battery usually has four launchers and one primary tracking radar.
Key specifications of the LY-80 include:
- Maximum range: ~40 km (Pakistan’s LY-80); up to ~70 km for the upgraded LY-80EV/HQ-16B.
- Altitude coverage: up to ~10 km (intercept ceiling).
- Radar: IBIS-150 3D PESA acquisition radar (S-band, ~150 km range); L-band tracking radars (each ~85 km range, track 4–6 targets).
- Missiles: Solid-fuel SAM (5.2 m length, ~650 kg) with inertial mid-course and radar terminal guidance. Six missiles ready per launcher.
- Mobility: TA-5350 6×6 trucks with hydraulic jacks; command/radar vehicles on similar chassis.
- Engagement capacity: Each L-band radar can track ~6 targets and engage 4. A battery (1 radar + 4 launchers) can engage multiple targets in layered defense.
- Operators: China (PLA) and Pakistan are main users. Pakistan ordered 3 LY-80 systems in 2014 and 6 more later, making it a staple medium-range layer.
Deployment and Recent Updates (2023–2025)
As of 2025, these systems are central to regional air defense postures. India has deployed S-400 (Sudarshan Chakra) squadrons along its borders; Russia will complete the five-regiment India contract by 2025. Pakistan has integrated its Chinese SAMs into a “Comprehensive Layered Integrated Air Defence” (CLIAD) network In April 2024 Pakistan showcased an upgraded “HQ-9BE” (~260 km range) during its national parade. Also, Pakistan acquired an improved LY-80EV system (range ~70 km) in 2021. In 2024, Pakistan held large AD exercises (Al-Bayza) to test integration of HQ-9P, LY-80, FM-90, and other layers.
You May Also Like,
Strategically, the S-400 remains one of the world’s most capable long-range SAMs, influencing power balance in Asia. Its deployment (in India, Turkey, China, etc.) has drawn geopolitical attention (e.g. sanctions over Turkey’s purchase). The Chinese HQ-9/P, while shorter-ranged than the S-400, provides Pakistan with vital high-altitude coverage; however, analysts note it is “limited in range compared to Russian systems” The LY-80 fills medium-range gaps for Pakistan, covering approaches that longer-range SAMs might miss. All three systems continue receiving upgrades (new missiles, radars, and electronic warfare resistances) as of 2025, reflecting their ongoing strategic relevance.
Comparison of Key Features
| Feature / System | S-400 Triumf (Russia) | HQ-9P (China/Pakistan) | LY-80 (HQ-16) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Range | ~400 km (40N6 very-long-range missile) | ~125 km (aircraft) | ~40 km (Pakistan variant); up to ~70 km (LY-80EV) |
| Altitude Coverage | ~30 km | (est. ~25 km) * | ~10 km (intercept ceiling) |
| Primary Radars | 91N6E panoramic, 92N6 fire-control, 96L6 height-finder, others | HT-233 3D AESA (firing radar); Type 120 low-altitude radar | IBIS-150 3D search (150 km); L-band tracking radars (85 km) |
| Missile Types | 40N6, 48N6/48N6DM/E3, 9M96E/E2, (9M100 short-range) | HQ-9 family SAM (semi-active/active homing) (export FD-2000 series) | Single-stage SAM (~5.2 m); 6 ready per launcher |
| Missiles/Launcher | 4 per TEL (2 for 40N6)en.wikipedia.org | 4 per TEL | 6 per TEL |
| Mobility | Wheeled TELs (MAZ/BAZ 8×8); truck-mounted radars (8×8) | Wheeled TELs (Taian TA-5380 8×8); AESA radar on truck | Wheeled TELs (Taian TA-5350 6×6); radars on 6×6 |
| Track / Engage | Track ~100–160 targets; engage ~36 simultaneously | Track ~100; engage ~8–10 simultaneously | Each tracker: detect 6, engage 4 targets(battery: 4 TEL+radar) |
| Operators | Russia, China, India, Turkey, Belarus, Algeria (plus Syria/Russia in Syria) | Pakistan (HQ-9P); China (PLA HQ-9); export FD-2000 to others | Pakistan, China (PLA HQ-16); possibly others with Chinese export HQ-16s |
| Deployment (as of 2025) | Active in Russia and abroad; India (3 of 5 regiments active by 2023, rest by 2025), Turkey (since 2020); Russia uses them in Ukraine (some losses) | In Pakistani service (1st regt in 2021)CLIAD network. Advanced HQ-9BE variant introduced 2024 | In Pakistani service (3 systems by 2017 plus upgraded units); Chinese PLA deploys HQ-16 nationally. Upgraded LY-80EV (~70 km) delivered to Pakistan |
Sources: Authoritative defense publications and news
Join our Telegram Channel for more Updates.
Comment for any queries and feedback.
Thank You
Disclaimer
We kindly request that you use the PDFs provided on PDFgozar for educational purposes only. Please use the information to build your knowledge and avoid industrial use. We appreciate your cooperation, as we offer everything here for free.
If you have any complaints regarding the website or advertisements, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Please note that PDFgozar does not own the copyrights to any PDFs. We simply provide links to resources already available on the internet. If any content infringes on copyright or creates other legal issues, please let us know.
Thank you.