Successful integration with other foreign systems by Pakistan would strengthen China’s export case ‘considerably’, analyst notes
3-MIN READ3-MINSeong Hyeon ChoiPublished: 10:00pm, 8 Sep 2026Pakistan has unveiled a newly acquired Chinese-made short-range air defence system that analysts say could boost its ability to counter Indian drones and low-altitude threats in a future conflict.
The HQ-17AE is an export version of China’s HQ-17A air defence system – a wheeled variant of the original HQ-17 that was reverse-engineered from the Russian Tor-M1 missiles.
The HQ-17AE has an operational range of up to 20km (12 miles) and a flight altitude of up to 10km. It is designed to engage with low-altitude and short-range threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, cruise missiles, guided munitions and aircraft.
It is known that it has been exported to Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Tajikistan. Pakistan’s revelation makes it the fourth foreign operator of the Chinese-made system.
Sunday’s video sought to promote the PAF’s multidomain operational skills, as deployed in the border conflict with India in May last year.
