HQ-7 / FM-90

A Chinese short-range, low-altitude surface-to-air missile family derived from the French Crotale and exported in improved form as the FM-90.

Overview

The HQ-7, or Hong Qi-7, is a Chinese short-range surface-to-air missile system developed from the French Thomson-CSF R-440 Crotale. Its primary function is point defense of military formations, airfields, command facilities and other high-value sites against low-flying aircraft and helicopters. Improved versions are also presented as defenses against cruise missiles, air-to-surface weapons and uncrewed aircraft.

The family includes land-based, mobile and naval configurations. The original HQ-7 was followed by the HQ-7A and the more mobile HQ-7B, while export designations include FM-80 and FM-90. The HHQ-7 and FM-90N extend the family to warships. Although commonly identified as CH-SA-4, published NATO-style reporting designations are inconsistent across sources.

China has operated the system with ground and naval forces, while export versions have entered service in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Algeria, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The FM-90 remains the most prominent export configuration, combining a mobile launcher, radar command guidance and an electro-optical tracking channel within a short-range engagement envelope.

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