Akash vs HQ-17

Overview

The Akash and the HQ-17 are both Surface-to-Air missiles.

The Akash has a range of 45 km — 3.0x the HQ-17's 15 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the HQ-17. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 15 kg for the HQ-17. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 165 kg for the HQ-17. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the HQ-17 relies on Semi-active radar homing.

The Akash entered service 4 years before the HQ-17 (2009 vs 2013).

Indian surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2009, utilizes active radar homing for guidance.
Origin 🇮🇳 India
Category Surface-to-Air
Type Surface-to-air missile
Manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited
Service year 2009
Number produced 15,500 units
Estimated unit price $0.5 million
Chinese short-range surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2013, uses semi-active radar homing for guidance.
Origin 🇨🇳 China
Category Surface-to-Air
Type Short-range surface-to-air missile
Manufacturer China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
Service year 2013
Number produced -- units
Estimated unit price NA
Range 45.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 2.5
Weight 720 kg
Warhead 60.0 kg
Length 5.78 m
Diameter 350 mm
Guidance Active radar homing
Warhead type High-explosive fragmentation
Range 15.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 3.0
Weight 165 kg
Warhead 15.0 kg
Length 2.90 m
Diameter 230 mm
Guidance Semi-active radar homing
Warhead type HE-FRAG

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the Akash or HQ-17?
The Akash has a longer range at 45 km compared to the HQ-17's 15 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or HQ-17?
The HQ-17 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the Akash's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or HQ-17?
The Akash carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the HQ-17's 15 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or HQ-17?
The Akash is heavier at 720 kg compared to the HQ-17's 165 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or HQ-17?
The Akash is longer at 5.78 meters compared to the HQ-17's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and HQ-17 use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the HQ-17 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or HQ-17?
The Akash entered service first in 2009, 4 years before the HQ-17 which entered service in 2013.