Washington, March 15 (IANS) China has become a subject of international ridicule as its HQ-9B missiles, once touted as the best air defence system, have failed catastrophically in Pakistan, Venezuela and now Iran within a year, according to a latest report.
While China’s HQ-9B missiles and JY-27A radars impressed on military parades, in actual combat, they have proven ineffective, appearing “blind, deaf, and mute”, the report highlighted.
“The HQ-9B, also known as Red Flag 9, is a cheap copy of the powerful US Patriot missiles and the Russian S-300. In theory, they have built-in radar systems to track and engage multiple targets simultaneously. In practice, they have demonstrated the opposite. Since May of last year, serious concerns have been raised about the HQ-9B’s inadequacy. In India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, the Chinese missiles were soundly defeated for four consecutive days. They were unable to defend, destroy or track anything, ” American newspaper ‘The Hill’ detailed.
According to the report, China’s JY-27 radar is a system “capable of identifying and scanning targets” between 280 and 390 kilometres away and “specialises in the early detection of fast, supersonic F-22 and F-35 fighter jets”.
“But in real combat, when Maduro was captured in Venezuela, the Chinese radars became a point of national humiliation and shame, failing to detect even one of the 150 aircraft that penetrated Venezuelan airspace, ” it added.
According to the report, during US-launched Operation Epic Fury in Iran, resulting in deadly strikes killing Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and some 49 high-ranking military officers, the Iranian defence system -- including the Chinese HQ-9B missile system -- failed.
“Chinese power failed miserably. The US has demonstrated technological capability and extraordinary military expertise. China’s propaganda is effective, but its military technology is not. A few years ago, countries like Egypt, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Iran spent billions on Chinese air defence systems; today, they regret it, ” it mentioned.
“Events in Pakistan, Venezuela and Iran also give hope to Taiwan. China has lost credibility, and its arms race is no longer as formidable. Although Beijing is still a nuclear power, its combat technology and radars have already proven unreliable, vulnerable and of low quality when compared to those of the US, ” it noted.