China reports simultaneous interception of two missile targets
A scale model of the HQ-9B's export variant, designated HQ-9BE, is displayed at Defence Services Asia 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Janes/Amit Kalra)
State-owned China Central Television (CCTV) reported on 2 November that an air-defence unit of China's Central Theater Command Air Force had intercepted two missile targets simultaneously during a weapons-verification exercise.
Footage showed the ‘Shenwei Missile Battalion' responding to warnings of incoming missiles from multiple directions. One target changed direction as it entered the unit's defended area, prompting personnel to order an urgent launch. The unit intercepted both targets, CCTV said.
According to CCTV, the battalion simultaneously intercepted two new missile targets for the first time. However, it did not identify the targets or the air-defence missile system deployed in the engagement.
Battalion member Shi Shidong said the target's sudden descent left the unit with a window of “five seconds, or just a few seconds” to act. “If you don't act for two seconds, or even one second, and don't launch in advance, you could miss the window,” he said.
State-owned newspaper Global Times reported on 2 November that the weapons-verification exercise featured HQ (Hong Qi)-9B surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
Citing military expert Song Zhongping, Global Times said that intercepting a manoeuvring ballistic-missile target would require the HQ-9B to maintain radar lock as the target changed course and its interceptor to manoeuvre rapidly. Song added that this depended on the system's guidance and control, including its actuation system and thrust-vector control.
According to Song, the reported response time of about two minutes showcased an integrated command network that shared warnings, tracks targets, and allocated them to suitable units, prioritising the nearest available interceptor.
“The successful intercept test also raised the possibility that the HQ-9B can intercept hypersonic missiles,”
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