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.
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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
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