Tajikistan publicly showcased its newly acquired HQ-17AE short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system for the first time during a military parade celebrating the country’s 32nd anniversary of its Armed Forces on 23 February 2025. Four combat vehicles and two transporter-loader vehicles were on display, demonstrating Tajikistan’s latest efforts to modernize its air defense capabilities and highlighting growing military cooperation with China.
Tajikistan unveiled its newly acquired HQ-17AE short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system for the first time during a parade marking the 32nd anniversary of its Armed Forces. The display of four combat vehicles and two transporter-loader vehicles underscores the country’s efforts to modernize its air defense and highlights its growing military cooperation with China.
The HQ-17AE is a short-range surface-to-air weapon system designed to operate in all weather conditions and capable of intercepting targets flying at low and medium altitude. Developed by the Second Academy of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), it is an export version of the HQ-17A, itself derived from the Russian Tor system.
Like all members of the HQ-17 family, the HQ-17AE is primarily intended to counter SHORAD (“Short-Range Air Defense”) threats such as aircraft, helicopters, and drones, as well as precision-guided munitions (guided bombs, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles). Chinese official sources indicate that it can also engage more challenging targets such as stealth aircraft, supersonic cruise missiles, and certain types of rockets.