China tested a missile defence system and shot down an ICBM capable of carrying a nuclear warhead - probably the Chinese equivalent of THAAD

China's Ministry of National Defence has reported a successful test of a missile defence system. China's THAAD counterpart, successfully shot down an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Here's What We Know

The test of the ground-based missile defence system took place on the territory of the People's Republic of China on the evening of 14 April. It was only the seventh such test officially reported by China's Ministry of National Defence.

According to the ministry, the test was defensive in nature and was not directed against any country. The test took place a few days after the conclusion of a three-day exercise, Joint Sword, in which Chinese National Liberation Army aircraft simulated strikes against Taiwan. China has previously tested missile defence systems in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021 and 2022.

The HQ-19 missile defence system is believed to have been used to intercept ICBMs. It is designed to destroy airborne threats outside the atmosphere, like the US THAAD. The system is primarily aimed at intercepting enemy ballistic missiles.

The system includes a multipurpose radar station with an active phased antenna array for early warning. The radar can detect targets at a maximum distance of 3,000 km.

In addition to the HQ-19, the People's Liberation Army of China has the HQ-9B, HQ-29 and HQ-29 systems in its arsenal. They are analogues of the Russian S-300 and the US Standard Missile 3 and Patriot PAC-3, respectively.

Source: The Eurasian Times