China is ready to deploy its own version of the Patriot system against Taiwan — SCMP
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has officially equipped its troops, which are directly deployed to counter Taiwan, with the new HQ-16F anti-aircraft missile.
This latest modification of the weapon will significantly enhance the country’s air defense capabilities in this strategic theater.
Military analysts note that the upgraded HQ-16F missile has unique technical characteristics, “comparable to the American Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 systems.”
The state-run CCTV channel aired the first official footage of live-fire operational tests of this missile system.
Large-scale training exercises by air defense units were successfully conducted by soldiers of the 73rd Army Group in the harsh climatic conditions of the Gobi Desert.
The redeployment of equipment took place under strict secrecy over a long distance.
The report states that “the unit, which is part of the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army of China, traveled thousands of kilometers from its base in Fujian Province to the northwestern desert to receive a new system prior to testing.”
The main goal of the maneuvers was to test crew coordination under new tactical conditions.
This was reported by the authoritative international publication South China Morning Post, citing official data from Chinese state media.
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