Operation Sindoor: China sends another HQ-16 to Pakistan as Asim Munir’s army trembles in India’s fear, Shehbaz Sharif also plan to…
New Delhi: During ‘Operation Sindoor’, India launched a brutal attack on Pakistan, destroying its air defense network completely. The Indian Armed Forces targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It’s been over 2 months now since India conducted Operation Sindoor, yet Pakistan continues to struggle with the aftermath. In a bid to support the bankrupt, China has once again stepped in to offer assistance. According to reports from open-source intelligence networks (OSINT), China has supplied a fresh batch of its HQ-16 medium-range surface-to-air missile systems to Pakistan.
Reports suggest that China’s Y-20 military transport aircraft was seen flying to Pakistan at least three times in recent weeks. These aircraft delivered consignments of the HQ-16 missile systems along with associated equipment. The Y-20 is a heavy-lift military jet capable of transporting up to 66 tons of military cargo.
Why Was a New Batch of HQ-16 Needed?
During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force targeted key Pakistani airbases such as Noor Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Bholari. The Indian Air Force destroyed Pakistan’s HQ-16 and HQ-9P air defense systems, along with China-made YLC-8E radars, using BrahMos and SCALP cruise missiles.
Can the HQ-16 stop BrahMos?
The HQ-16 has a strike range of around 40 kilometers and is primarily designed to intercept drones, fighter jets, and slow-moving missiles. However, the BrahMos missile, which flies at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0 (nearly three times the speed of sound) and cruises at low altitudes, is extremely difficult for the HQ-16 to intercept.
How significant is the new shipment to Pakistan?
Currently, Pakistan’s air defense capability is almost negligible. During the operation, India destroyed two out of its three surveillance aircraft. In this situation, China sending a new batch of equipment is more about boosting Pakistan’s military morale — but it will not alter the strategic balance.
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