Egypt to Purchase Chinese HQ-9B Air Defense System

Egypt plans to deploy the Chinese HQ-9B long-range air defense system, according to a former senior official in the country’s armed forces.

Retired Major General Samir Farag confirmed the plans during an interview with the Sada El-Balad TV channel, Military Africa reported.

Egypt’s decision to acquire the HQ-9B is reportedly driven by a combination of strategic, economic, and political factors. Frustrated by Western restrictions on arms sales, Cairo turned to Beijing for access to advanced systems that do not come with political conditions.

For instance, Egypt’s F-16 fighter jets are currently equipped with outdated AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, as the U.S. has declined to supply AIM-120s to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge.

In contrast, China offers more flexible export terms and is willing to provide advanced technologies without restrictions.

The deployment of the HQ-9B is expected to have implications for the balance of power in the Middle East. Israel, which maintains a military edge in the region, will now have to consider Egypt’s strengthened air defense capabilities.

China’s growing role as an arms supplier also poses a challenge to Western and Russian dominance in regional defense markets. Countries such as Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan have already acquired the HQ-9B, attracted by its lower cost and China’s willingness to transfer technology. Egypt’s procurement could prompt other states to follow suit.

The HQ-9B, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, is based on the Soviet-era S-300 system and is designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles. It has a range of up to 200 kilometers and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 27 kilometers.

The system’s radar — believed to be a variant of the HT-233 — uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, enabling it to detect low-observable targets at extended ranges. Each launcher can carry up to eight missiles.

In April, Chinese fighter, transport, and early warning aircraft arrived in Egypt for the “Eagles of Civilization 2025” joint military exercises.

Participating aircraft included J-10C and J-10S fighter jets, a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and a Y-20-based aerial refueling tanker. The exercises marked the first joint drills of this scale between the Egyptian and Chinese air forces.