HQ-16 / LY-80

The HQ-16, exported as the LY-80 family, is a Chinese medium-range surface-to-air missile system used to cover the gap between short-range point defenses and long-range strategic SAMs. In the 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict, Indian government and Indian press reporting identified Pakistan as relying on imported HQ-16 systems during Operation Sindoor, making it a documented part of Pakistan's contested air-defense picture.

2025 India-Pakistan ConflictPakistan

Conflict side: Pakistan
Built by: China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationShanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
Built in: China

HQ-16 / LY-80, Medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Image source: HQ-16A Surface-to-Air Missiles 20170919

Profile

Type: Medium-range surface-to-air missile system
Conflict side: Pakistan
Origin: China
Service note: Entered Chinese service in the early 2010s; exported to Pakistan as the LY-80 family

air defense SAMroad-mobile

Service History

In service: In Chinese service from the early 2010s; Pakistan inducted LY-80 systems in 2017
Used by: People's Liberation Army, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy
Wars: 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict

Production History

Designer: Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, with reported Russian Buk-family design influence
Designed: Development reported from the mid-2000s
Built by: China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationShanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
Built in: China
Unit cost: Pakistan reportedly ordered six LY-80 systems for $373 million between 2014 and 2015
Produced: 2010s-present
Number built: Not publicly confirmed
Variants: HQ-16A, HQ-16B, HQ-16C, HHQ-16, LY-80, LY-80N, HQ-16FE

Specifications

Role: Ground-based or naval medium-range air and missile defense
Range: About 40 km for baseline HQ-16/HQ-16A; about 70 km for later HQ-16B/HQ-16C variants
Guidance: Semi-active radar homing
Targets: Aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, low-flying aircraft, and some short- or medium-range ballistic missile threats
Launcher: Road-mobile vertical-launch transporter erector launcher; typical land launcher carries six missile canisters
Battery: Typically described with launch vehicles, command-and-control, radar vehicles, and support equipment

Conflict Usage

2025 India-Pakistan Conflict: Side: PakistanRole: Medium-range air-defense coverageair defense
Pakistan fielded imported HQ-16/LY-80-family air-defense systems as part of its Chinese-supplied air-defense network during Operation Sindoor; public reporting on their performance is largely based on Indian government claims and should be treated as disputed.

HQ-16 / LY-80 Images

HQ-16 / LY-80, Medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 1 — Source: HQ-16A Surface-to-Air Missiles 20170919

HQ-16 / LY-80, Medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 2 — Source: HQ-16 Surface-to-Air Missiles 20170919

HQ-16 / LY-80, Medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 3 — Source: HQ-16 VLS SAM Launchers

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Sources

Akashteer: The Unseen Force Behind India's New War CapabilityPublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct use: HQ-16 systems were fielded by Pakistan in the conflict context when Pakistan relied on imported HQ-9 and HQ-16 systems during Operation Sindoor; performance claims are Indian government claims. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 How Pakistan's Imported HQ-9 and HQ-16 Failed but India's Indigenous Akashteer Proved Its MettlePublisher: Mint | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct use: HQ-16 systems were fielded by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor according to Indian government-sourced reporting; the article also identifies both HQ-9 and HQ-16 as Chinese-manufactured systems. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 HQ-16 (HQ-16A) Chinese 6x6 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile SystemPublisher: U.S. Army ODIN Worldwide Equipment Guide | Note: Supports system background, manufacturer context, road-mobile launcher description, and technical specifications for the HQ-16A family. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 HQ-16Publisher: Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance | Note: Supports range, guidance, target set, mobility, variants, and battery-level background for the HQ-16 family. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Pakistan Strengthens Low-to-Medium Altitude Air DefensePublisher: Defense Systems Information Analysis Center | Note: Supports Pakistan's 2017 LY-80 induction, the HQ-16A/LY-80 relationship, CASC production context, and reported Pakistani order value. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 HQ-16A Surface-to-Air Missiles 20170919Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the primary HQ-16A launcher image, credited to Tyg728 and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 HQ-16 Surface-to-Air Missiles 20170919Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the HQ-16 missile display image, credited to Tyg728 and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 HQ-16 VLS SAM LaunchersPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the naval VLS launcher image on a Type 054A frigate; U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers, public domain. | Accessed: 2026-06-21