Egypt has officially confirmed its deployment of the Chinese HQ-9B long-range air defence system, a move that marks a notable enhancement of its military capabilities and reflects a growing partnership with Beijing. This confirmation came from retired Major General Samir Farag, a former high-ranking official in the Egyptian Armed Forces, during an interview on Sada El-Balad TV. Farag revealed that Egypt’s arsenal includes various modern defence systems, with the HQ-9B—a system comparable to Russia’s S-400—being a key component. This disclosure, reported by Israeli media outlet nziv, reveals Egypt’s strategic shift toward diversifying its arms suppliers and strengthening its air defence network. The HQ-9B’s advanced capabilities, including its ability to engage a wide array of aerial threats, position Egypt to better address regional security challenges while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.
The HQ-9B, developed by China’s Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, is a long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to counter fighter jets, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles. With an operational range of up to 200 kilometres and an altitude ceiling of 27 kilometres, it offers robust protection against modern threats. The system’s radar, believed to be a variant of the HT-233 model, employs active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, enabling it to detect low-observable targets like stealth aircraft at extended ranges. This radar also allows the HQ-9B to track multiple threats simultaneously, enhancing its effectiveness in high-intensity scenarios. Each launcher can carry up to eight missiles, double the capacity of earlier versions, and its command-and-control architecture supports integration with other air defence assets, creating a layered defence network.
Egypt’s decision to acquire the HQ-9B stems from a combination of strategic, economic, and political factors. Frustrated by Western restrictions on arms sales, Cairo has turned to China for advanced systems that come without the political constraints often imposed by the United States and European nations. For instance, Egypt’s F-16 fleet, supplied by the U.S., is equipped with outdated AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, while France has withheld long-range MICA missiles for its Rafale jets. In contrast, China’s export terms are more flexible, offering Egypt access to cutting-edge technology without restrictive end-user agreements. The HQ-9B’s cost-effectiveness also makes it an attractive alternative to pricier Western systems like the U.S.-made Patriot PAC-3, which carries both a higher price tag and political strings. Compared to Russia’s S-400, the HQ-9B provides similar capabilities at a lower cost, though it lacks the same combat-tested pedigree.
The timing of this acquisition is tied to Egypt’s evolving security concerns. Tensions with Israel over its actions in Gaza, along with Turkey’s support for Islamist groups in Syria and Libya, pose direct threats to Cairo’s interests. The Western-backed assault on Libya in 2011, with Turkish involvement, left a lasting impression on Egyptian leadership, reinforcing the need for independent aerial warfare capabilities. Egypt’s air force, while sizable, remains constrained by its reliance on Western suppliers, who have been reluctant to provide the most advanced munitions. The HQ-9B, alongside other Chinese systems like the Wing Loong-1D drones and reported interest in J-31 stealth fighters, signals a deliberate pivot toward Beijing as a defence partner. This shift not only enhances Egypt’s deterrence capabilities but also strengthens its bargaining power with Western allies, who may now feel pressure to loosen restrictions on arms sales.
The HQ-9B’s deployment in Egypt also has broader implications for the Middle East’s balance of power. Israel, which maintains a qualitative military edge in the region, must now account for Egypt’s bolstered air defences. The system’s ability to detect stealth aircraft and intercept precision-guided munitions complicates Israel’s operational planning, particularly in scenarios involving strikes on Egyptian targets. Turkey, another regional rival, could face similar challenges if tensions escalate, as the HQ-9B extends Egypt’s defensive reach. Beyond Egypt, China’s growing role as an arms supplier challenges the dominance of Western and Russian systems in the Middle East. Countries like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan have already acquired the HQ-9B, drawn by its affordability and China’s willingness to transfer technology without political preconditions. Egypt’s procurement could inspire other nations to follow suit, further eroding the West’s influence in the region’s defence markets.
Egypt’s path to acquiring the HQ-9B was not without obstacles. In the mid-2010s, reports suggested Cairo had purchased Russia’s S-300V4 system, but these claims were never fully confirmed. Instead, it appears the S-300s were placed in storage due to Western threats of economic sanctions, leaving Egypt reliant on ageing Soviet-era systems like the S-75 and S-125. The HQ-9B, by contrast, represents a transformative upgrade, offering modern, long-range capabilities that integrate seamlessly with Egypt’s existing air defence assets, including Russian Tor-M2 and Buk-M2 systems acquired in the 2010s. The system’s mobile design, with missiles, radars, and command units mounted on trucks, enhances its survivability by allowing rapid repositioning—a critical feature in contested environments.
The HQ-9B’s radar and electronics also benefit from China’s advanced industrial base, giving it an edge over Russian alternatives in certain performance areas. Its compatibility with Egypt’s MiG-29M fighters and potential future acquisitions like the Chinese J-10C further strengthens its appeal. The system’s ability to network with these assets creates a cohesive air defence umbrella, capable of responding to a range of threats from low-flying drones to high-altitude aircraft. This interoperability is a key advantage, as it allows Egypt to maximise the effectiveness of its diverse arsenal, much of which comes from different suppliers.
Speculation about Egypt’s acquisition of Chinese air defence systems gained traction in July 2025, when an Egyptian Air Force Il-76MF transport aircraft departed from China with a stopover in Pakistan before returning to Cairo. Pakistan, which operates Chinese HQ-16 systems and collaborates with Beijing on defence projects, may have played a role in facilitating the transfer, though the exact nature of the stopover remains unclear. This incident underscores the deepening military ties between Egypt and China, which have grown steadily since Egypt’s reported acquisition of the HQ-9B in 2017, acknowledged at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX). While details about the number of systems or their deployment remain scarce, the HQ-9B’s presence in Egypt’s arsenal is now a confirmed reality.
The HQ-9B’s deployment also reflects Egypt’s broader strategic calculus. Facing threats from Libya’s instability, Ethiopia’s ambitions in the Nile basin, and maritime challenges in the Red Sea, Cairo is keen to project strength across multiple fronts. The system’s long-range capabilities allow Egypt to protect critical infrastructure, such as the Suez Canal and military bases, from aerial attacks. Its ability to intercept short-range ballistic missiles adds a layer of defence against regional adversaries like Iran or non-state actors with access to missile technology. For Israel, Egypt’s bolstered air defences complicate any potential military action, raising the stakes in an already tense relationship. The HQ-9B thus serves as both a shield and a symbol of Egypt’s determination to assert its sovereignty in an evolving regional order.
Egypt had earlier bolstered its air defence capabilities by operationalising the German-made IRIS-T air defence system. This was showcased during a recent military review of the 6th Division in Ismailia, where the Egyptian military displayed its IRIS-T SLM and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) systems on 2 October 2024. However, subsequent deliveries faced delays in 2022 when Germany redirected a consignment of IRIS-T systems meant for Egypt to Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion.
Beforehand, Egypt, one of India’s strategic partners in the Middle East, expressed interest in acquiring the Akash air defence missile system, a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), but it appears that the business did not go ahead likely due to the Delhi’s well-known bureaucratic bottlenecks.
China’s willingness to supply advanced systems like the HQ-9B to Egypt also reflects Beijing’s broader ambitions in the Middle East. By positioning itself as a reliable alternative to Western and Russian arms suppliers, China is carving out a niche in a region long dominated by other powers. The HQ-9B’s success in Egypt could pave the way for further sales, with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s defence export agency, noting enthusiastic reviews from Middle Eastern partners impressed by the Pantsir system’s performance in combat. However, the HQ-9B’s lack of combat testing compared to its Russian or American counterparts remains a point of contention, though its technical specifications suggest it is a formidable system.
Egypt’s acquisition of the HQ-9B is more than a simple arms deal—it is a statement of intent. By diversifying its defence partnerships and embracing Chinese technology, Cairo is charting a path toward greater autonomy in its security affairs. The system’s advanced capabilities provide Egypt with a credible deterrent against regional threats, while its integration with existing assets ensures a seamless upgrade to its air defence network. As the Middle East’s power dynamics shift, with China’s influence on the rise, Egypt’s embrace of the HQ-9B could mark the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s military landscape, one where Beijing plays a central role. For now, the HQ-9B stands as a potent symbol of Egypt’s ambitions and a reminder that the balance of power remains in flux.
Egypt’s air defence systems are being operated in tandem with Egypt’s recently acquired U.S.-approved AN/TPS-78 radar acquisition, French-made Thales Ground Master 400 (GM400) AESA air defence radars. These long-range, mobile 3D radar systems have a maximum range of up to 515 km. Additionally, in 2017, Egypt received the 59N6E Protivnik-GE 3D advanced early warning surveillance radar from Russia.