China’s HQ-9BE Air Defense System Quietly Enters Service in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has become the latest known operator of China’s HQ-9B long-range air defense system, joining Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Proof of the acquisition did not come through an official government announcement but instead surfaced via leaked nighttime footage captured during rehearsals for the upcoming “Victory Day” military parade in Baku. Social media posts circulating online show at least two Transporter-Erector-Launchers (TELs) belonging to the HQ-9BE system. However, it remains unclear to what extent these systems reflect the overall scope of the agreement between Baku and Beijing.
Developed by the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC), the HQ-9BE—also known as the FD-2000B—is a long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and the latest export variant of the HQ-9 family. It was first unveiled last February at the EDEX 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. According to open-source information, the system is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. Its range spans between 5 and 260 kilometers, with a maximum engagement altitude of 27 kilometers. Each launcher can fire 16 missiles at 8 targets simultaneously. The two-stage solid-fuel missiles feature speeds exceeding Mach 4 and employ semi-active radar homing.
Azerbaijan currently fields a mixed air defense inventory consisting of the Russian-made S-300PMU-2, Tor-M2E, Buk-M1, and the Israeli Spyder and Barak MX systems. The newly delivered Chinese units are expected to replace the S-300PMU-2s, whose overall deterrence value against modern electronic warfare and advanced air-attack threats has diminished. While the HQ-9BE’s technical specifications appear stronger on paper compared to the S-300 family, it is worth noting that the system has not yet seen significant use in real combat conditions.
Beyond forming part of Azerbaijan’s broad modernization program aimed at maintaining its military edge in the South Caucasus, the procurement of the HQ-9BE also clearly reflects Baku’s growing shift away from Russia as its traditional security supplier. Under normal circumstances, Azerbaijan would have been expected to opt for the S-400 system—which uses the same chassis as the S-300 family its military already operates—thus simplifying transition processes such as spare parts supply, unit integration, equipment procurement, and crew training. However, the choice of the HQ-9BE reverses that expectation. A similar trend is visible in Baku’s decision to acquire the China-Pakistan jointly produced JF-17 Thunder fighter jet as part of efforts to modernize its Russian-made MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-25 Frogfoot platforms.
The weakening of the long-standing defense ties between the two countries is interpreted by some experts as stemming from Russia’s lack of sufficient resources to provide new systems while it is in the midst of its war against Ukraine, while others argue that it originates from the political tension between Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev following the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger aircraft.
In addition to all this, Azerbaijan’s advances are setting off alarm bells in Armenia. Currently far from being able to deter Baku militarily, Yerevan recently took delivery of Akash-1S surface-to-air missile systems from India, a close defense partner. According to unverified reports, Armenia’s next move will be to further strengthen its air defense by ordering eight to twelve Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighter jets manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).