Uzbekistan Strengthens Air Defense with Chinese Anti-Aircraft Systems

Uzbekistan enhances its air defense systems with Chinese anti-aircraft technologies, including the HQ-7 and HQ-12 variants. These systems were showcased during a presidential visit, while details on quantities and costs have not been disclosed. The country maintains a structured air defense supported by existing S-125 and S-75 systems, signaling a significant upgrade in military capabilities.

Uzbekistan’s Armed Forces have enhanced their air defense capabilities through the acquisition of Chinese anti-aircraft systems, as reported by SavunmaSanayiST media outlet. These systems were showcased during a presidential visit to the Center for Innovative Technologies within the Defense Industry Agency of Uzbekistan. Notable systems deployed include the export variant of the FM-90 from the HQ-7 small-radius defense system and the KS-1C variant from the HQ-12 medium-radius system. Additionally, the accompanying images feature the Uzbek TARLON armored vehicle.

The exact quantity of systems provided by China and their cost to Uzbekistan remain undisclosed. Currently, Uzbekistan’s armed forces operate two anti-aircraft missile brigades integrated into the Air Defense and Air Force structures. Each brigade comprises one battery of four S-1252M Pechora-2M launchers and two batteries of S-125M1 Neva-M1 launchers, alongside the S-75 systems in service and S-200 systems in storage.

The HQ-7 system is a short-range anti-aircraft missile system that originated from the French Crotale design. It is engineered to defend military installations, critical infrastructure, and armored units against aerial threats, such as aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. The operational range of the HQ-7 extends from 0.5 to 12 kilometers, with an impact height between 15 meters and 6 kilometers. It boasts a rapid response time of approximately six seconds and employs a combination of guidance methods, including semi-active radar and infrared.

Conversely, the HQ-12 system serves as a medium-range anti-aircraft missile solution, developed to succeed the older Soviet S-75 systems. The engagement range of the HQ-12 spans from 7 to 50 kilometers, with an effective impact height ranging from 300 meters to 25 kilometers. It utilizes solid-fuel missiles and reaches speeds of up to 1,200 meters per second. The missile’s guidance system is semi-active and specializes in intercepting various aerial threats, supported by a modern radar capable of operating effectively in electronic warfare scenarios.

In conclusion, Uzbekistan has significantly bolstered its air defense systems through the acquisition of advanced Chinese military technology. The incorporation of both the HQ-7 and HQ-12 systems signifies an important step towards enhancing the country’s military capabilities. However, explicit details regarding the quantity and financial aspects of these systems remain undisclosed, leaving room for speculation regarding the extent of this military upgrade.

Original Source: mil.in.ua