Even faster than Iran! China's HQ-9BE has arrived in Azerbaijan, forming a Chinese weapons system with the JF-17 FC. On the evening of November 4, 2025, Azerbaijani media publicly released footage of the nighttime preparations for the military parade in Baku, where the Chinese-made HQ-9BE long-range air defense missile system was seen. This marks the first time that Azerbaijan has openly announced and officially purchased and equipped the HQ-9BE air defense missile system. Previously, there were no reports about it, which means that up to now, the public orders show that the Azerbaijani Air Force, in addition to purchasing 40 JF-17 FC fighter jets jointly developed by China and Pakistan, as well as the Chinese-made PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles, has also purchased the HQ-9BE long-range air defense missile system, successfully establishing a Chinese weapons air defense system. This Chinese weapons air defense system is second only to the Pakistani Air Force's JF-17 Block-3 fighter jets, JF-17 Block-3 fighters, electronic warfare, HQ-9BE air defense missile systems, long-range detection radars, data links, and PL-15 air-to-air missiles.
Independent foreign media have released footage of Azerbaijan's deployment of the HQ-9BE air defense missile system
Azerbaijan's neighboring country, Iran, has not released any information or footage confirming the purchase of the Chinese-made HQ-9BE air defense missile system. Obviously, Azerbaijan has acted much faster than Iran.
Azerbaijan has publicly released footage of the HQ-9BE air defense missile system for the first time
Azerbaijan has purchased the JF-17 FC fighter jets and the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles
Pakistan still lacks money and has only bought four sets of the HQ-9 air defense missile systems, among which there are relatively older models. If the Pakistani Air Force had eight sets of the HQ-9B and HQ-9C air defense missile systems, along with Chinese-made early warning aircraft and beyond visual range guidance capabilities, it would be able to withstand the Brahmos supersonic missiles launched by Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets without any problem. Since Azerbaijan has deployed the HQ-9 air defense missile systems, could Turkey indirectly access the HQ-9BE air defense missile systems? If the Armenian Air Force purchases Indian Su-30MKI fighter jets, after receiving them, they might find out that even on the ground, they are being targeted by the HQ-9 and in the sky, they are being targeted by the PL-15. However, Armenia denies purchasing Indian aircraft, as after the 57th battle, the Armenian military saw the real strength of the Indian Air Force.
Pakistan has proven the power of the HQ-9 air defense missile system through actual combat
The HQ-9BE air defense missile system made its name in the India-Pakistan war
Purchasing Chinese weapon systems, Iran just talks about it, but nothing comes of it. This caused Iran to be bombed by Israel last time. Now, it is unknown whether Iran has woken up. After being heavily bombed by Israel, Iran seems to have rebuilt its national defense forces. Earlier, Iranian legislators revealed that the Chinese-made HQ-9 long-range air defense missile system will be delivered in large quantities to Iran. Russia will also deliver the S-400 air defense missile system to Iran. However, despite this, there is no visible footage of the delivery and deployment of the Chinese-made HQ-9 long-range air defense missile system or the Russian S-400 air defense missile system. After all, the deployment of these two Chinese and Russian air defense missile systems requires a large area, and Iran's confidentiality system cannot keep it completely secret. In 2016, Iran purchased four sets of the Russian S-300 air defense missile system. When facing the Israeli Air Force F-35I, even the non-stealthy F-15I fighter jets, it did not play much role, and even became the target of the Israeli Air Force F-35I stealth fighter jets first.
The Iranian Hawk air defense system was useless in the war
The Iranian S-300 air defense missile system did not fire a single missile
Now, warfare is a contest of data links. One moment it's Russian MiG-29 fighter jets, one moment it's Chinese HQ-9 air defense missile systems. The mismatched data links make it unlikely for Iran to have a strong air defense. Purchasing Russian weapons to counter American and Israeli forces is a joke. Using a pile of outdated scrap metal to fight advanced American and Israeli weapons, only leads to more bombardments. Iran is currently acting like it's suffering from a disease and trying to treat it with any remedy. Without building a complete system, it's zero. To win, it must have an integrated system of air defense, early warning, aircraft, and missiles. Iran doesn't understand this. The tragedy of Iran's neglect of its air force and air defense will repeat itself. Iran has missed many opportunities to purchase Chinese aircraft and air defense systems in the past. If it continues to hesitate, it will pay a heavy price once again!
The Iranian Air Force F-4 fighter jet is equipped with what appears to be a PL-12 air-to-air missile
The Israeli Air Force F-15I fighter jet may again bomb Iran
Only Chinese satellites, Chinese air defense systems, Chinese early warning aircraft, Chinese aircraft, Chinese missiles, and Chinese data links can integrate these systems together! Unless Russian products open their code and interface, they cannot be integrated. Moreover, modern warfare is a system-based operation. If the Iranian Air Force leadership still believes that the Iranian Air Force must rely on dogfights and ground air defense missile systems to face opponents, then Iran will continue to be bombed. Learn from Pakistan and Azerbaijan, who have established a three-in-one system of Chinese air defense missiles, early warning aircraft, and fighter jets. Iran should learn from Pakistan and introduce the Chinese J-10C fighter jets, PL-15 missiles, and early warning aircraft. Then, Israeli aircraft will not dare to invade Iranian airspace, which is the key to victory. Iran has a vast territory and needs air defense coverage over many areas. At least 10 sets of the HQ-9, 10 sets of the HQ-16, 200 J-10 fighter jets, 40 J-35 fighter jets, 2000 air-to-air missiles, and at least 5 KJ-500 early warning aircraft are needed.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569042795130864164/
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