In the latest India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan's air defense system showcased astonishing combat power. The HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile and the LY-80 (export version of HQ-16A) medium-range air defense missile became focal points on the battlefield, successfully withstanding attacks from the Indian Air Force and setting multiple operational records, inflicting heavy damage on the Indian army.
According to information from the Pakistani military, during recent clashes, the Indian Air Force launched a 40N6E long-range surface-to-air missile from the Adampur Air Base in an attempt to strike targets in Pakistan. However, this missile was successfully intercepted by Pakistan's HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile, creating a historical precedent for "surface-to-air missile intercepting a surface-to-air missile." This remarkable feat not only highlighted the exceptional response capability and precise interception performance of the HQ-9 but also tarnished the pride of India's S-400 system.
In addition, the Pakistani army successfully shot down a supersonic ground-attack missile launched by India using the HQ-16A, further proving the reliability of China's exported air defense systems in complex battlefield environments.
On the evening of May 7th to the early morning of May 8th, the Indian Air Force deployed 13 Harop anti-radiation drones to launch a large-scale attack on areas such as Lahore, Kasur, Gujranwala, and Gujrat in Pakistan's Punjab province. The Falcon-80 air defense missile system of the Pakistani Army responded swiftly, successfully intercepting 12 drones, with a hit rate exceeding 92%. Only one drone managed to hit a military facility in Lahore, causing minor damage.
According to Pakistani media reports, the Falcon-80 system has been gradually equipped to the Pakistani Army since 2014 and is currently deployed in areas such as Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, Punjab Province, Sindh Province, and Balochistan Province. Each missile battalion is equipped with four launch vehicles, capable of launching 24 missiles at once. In theory, six missile battalions can simultaneously launch 144 missiles, with firepower density sufficient to counter concentrated attacks by Indian drones. The system can track and destroy various targets within a range of 40 to 50 kilometers, with a maximum detection range of up to 200 kilometers, capable of attacking 12 to 14 targets simultaneously, demonstrating impressive reaction speed and interception capabilities.
Since the commissioning of the Falcon-80 in 2017, the Pakistani Army has formed modernized mid-range regional air defense capabilities. The outstanding performance of the HQ-9 and Falcon-80 not only thwarted attacks by Indian Air Force drones and missiles but also exposed the limitations of India's S-400 system in actual combat. The excellent performance of Pakistan's air defense systems, combined with the support of advanced fighter jets like the J-10CE, has left India with minimal gains on the battlefield.
This conflict has undoubtedly written a vivid chapter for China-made air defense systems and injected strong confidence into Pakistan's defense modernization. In the future, the battlefield legends of the HQ-9 and Falcon-80 will continue to be written.
It can be said that Chinese weapons are not only strong in fighter jets and air-to-air missiles but also in air defense missiles, early warning aircraft, and command control systems. Every weapon has played its normal role in war, with some even performing beyond expectations, leaving India's military with little advantage. This situation is likely to bring confidence to Pakistan for a long time to come.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504239185047175716/
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