New Chinese Missiles Can Hit Ultra-high Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft

The Chinese PLA Air Force is now strengthened with third generation surface to air missiles that are capable of hitting U-2 ultra high altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

The PLA Air Force's "Hero Battalion", assigned to a missile division with the air force of the Central Theater Command has formed combat capability after employing this 3rd-generation surface-to-air missiles independently, China Military online reported Monday.

The PLA Air Force's ground-to-air defense troops have established a combat system covering long, medium and short ranges and high, medium and low altitudes, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke, spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force said Sunday.

The PLA Air Force has built a sky shield ensuring China's air and space security with the air defense and anti-missile capability comprehensively upgraded in IT-based conditions.

Air defense and anti-missile capability is an important part of the Air Force's strategic capabilities, Shen added.

The PLA Air Force, following the strategic requirement of building air-space capabilities and conducting both offensive and defensive operations, will try hard to shift its focus from territorial air defense to both defense and offense, and build an air-space defense force structure that can meet the requirements of informationized operations.

The PLA Air Force will boost its capabilities for strategic early warning, air strike, air and missile defense, information countermeasures, airborne operations, strategic projection and comprehensive support.

The HQ-9 surface-to-air missile displayed in the military parade for V-Day celebration is a high-altitude and medium and long-range air defense equipment focused on hitting various aircraft.

The HQ-12 surface-to-air missile is a new type of medium and high-altitude air defense weapon independently designed by China and the HQ-6 air defense missile system is a new-generation terminal defense weapon equipment that realizes terminal air defense interception with its high missile precision and high firing rate of the anti-aircraft gun.