On February 21, 2025, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited the Center for Innovative Technologies of the Defense Industry Agency to assess production capabilities and developments in military and dual-use technologies. This visit is part of the government’s effort to modernize the defense sector by incorporating technological innovations and developing a local industry capable of addressing the country’s security challenges. In this context, the appearance of Chinese KS-1C and FM-90 air defense systems has drawn attention, suggesting that Uzbekistan has integrated these systems into its military inventory.
The acquisition of these surface-to-air missile systems represents a shift in the diversification of the country’s defense procurement. Historically reliant on Soviet and later Russian equipment, Uzbekistan has recently expanded its military cooperation with China. Recent images indicate that these air defense systems, designed for intercepting enemy aircraft and missiles at short and medium ranges, are now operational within the Uzbek armed forces.
The KS-1C and FM-90 provide Uzbekistan with modern air defense capabilities suited to contemporary threats. The KS-1C, an improved version of the HQ-12, is a medium-range surface-to-air missile capable of engaging aerial targets at distances ranging from 5 to 50 km, with an interception altitude between 500 m and 25 km. It features semi-active radar homing and radio-command guidance, using an H-200 passive phased array radar, which can track multiple targets simultaneously at a range of 70 km. Weighing 900 kg and carrying a 100 kg warhead, the missile reaches speeds of 1,200 m/s, approximately Mach 3, making it effective against combat aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles.