HQ-7

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Air Defense

HQ-7

China’s Crotale-derived short-range air defence system

The HQ-7 is a Chinese short-range surface-to-air missile system developed by CPMIEC from the French Crotale, in PLA service since 1989. It has a range of up to 12 km and is exported as the FM-80 and FM-90.

China|CPMIEC / CASIC
12 kmRange15–6,000 mMax AltitudeMach 2.3Missile Speed14 kgWarhead8 missilesLauncherIn ServiceStatus

Overview

China began developing the HQ-7 in 1979 by reverse engineering the French Thomson-CSF Crotale, and the first test took place in 1980. It entered PLA service in 1989. The missile is about 3 m long, weighs roughly 85 kg and carries a 14 kg warhead, flying at about Mach 2.3. The HQ-7B reaches 12 km and 15 to 6,000 m in altitude with radio-command guidance. A truck carries a launcher with eight missiles, supported by a TCS3 tracking radar and a TA-18 search radar.

The export versions are the FM-80 and FM-90, with the FM-90N using a newer radar. The naval HHQ-7 equips Type 054A frigates, and the system was the basis for the HQ-17 land system. Operators include China, Pakistan, Iran, Venezuela, Morocco, Sudan and, reportedly, Algeria, Cuba and the UAE. Morocco is a confirmed FM-90 user among Arab states, while Algeria, Sudan and the UAE are reported or less certain. Rivals include the Crotale NG, Tor-M2, Pantsir-S1 and the Turkish Hisar-A.

HQ-7
Photo: Megapixie / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Key Specifications

ManufacturerCPMIEC / CASIC
CountryChina
ManufacturerCPMIEC / CASIC
CountryChina
First Flight1980
Entered Service1989
StatusIn Service
InterceptorHQ-7 / HQ-7B
Range12 km
Max Altitude15–6,000 m
Missile SpeedMach 2.3
Warhead14 kg
GuidanceRadio command
Launcher8 missiles
Weight85 kg
RadarTCS3 / TA-18

Variants

HQ-7

The HQ-7 is the original Chinese short-range SAM system based on the French Crotale.

HQ-7A

The HQ-7A is an improved version of the system used by the PLA.

HQ-7B

The HQ-7B is the upgraded version with a range of up to 12 km.

Operators

ChinaPakistanIranVenezuelaMoroccoSudan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the range of the HQ-7?

The HQ-7B has a range of up to 12 km and an altitude ceiling of 6,000 m. The missile flies at about Mach 2.3.

Is the HQ-7 a copy of the Crotale?

Yes, the HQ-7 was developed from the French Thomson-CSF Crotale, which China reverse engineered starting in 1979. It entered PLA service in 1989.

Which countries use the HQ-7?

The HQ-7 and its FM-90 export version are used by China, Pakistan, Iran, Venezuela, Morocco and Sudan. Algeria, Cuba and the UAE are reported.

Which Arab countries have the HQ-7?

Morocco is a confirmed FM-90 user. Algeria, Sudan and the UAE are reported or less certain operators.

How many missiles does the HQ-7 launcher carry?

The HQ-7 launcher carries eight missiles on a 6×6 or 8×8 truck. It works with a separate tracking radar and a search radar.

HQ-7 vs HQ-17: what is the difference?

The HQ-7 is a Crotale derivative with radio-command guidance, while the HQ-17 is a copy of the Russian Tor-M1 with a phased-array radar and vertical-launch missiles. Both reach about 12 km.