Akash vs HQ-7
The Akash and the HQ-7 are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Akash has a range of 45 km — 3.8x the HQ-7's 12 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 2,700 km/h for the HQ-7. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 15 kg for the HQ-7. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 85 kg for the HQ-7. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the HQ-7 relies on Command-guided, Infrared homing. The HQ-7 entered service 29 years before the Akash (1980 vs 2009).
| 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 surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1980, utilizes command-guided and infrared homing. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Short range surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Changfeng Electromechanical Technology Design Institute |
| Service year | 1980 |
| 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 | 12.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.2 ◉ |
| Weight | 85 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 15.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.00 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 150 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Command-guided, Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or HQ-7?
The Akash has a longer range at 45 km compared to the HQ-7's 12 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or HQ-7?
The Akash is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 compared to the HQ-7's Mach 2.2.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or HQ-7?
The Akash carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the HQ-7's 15 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or HQ-7?
The Akash is heavier at 720 kg compared to the HQ-7's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or HQ-7?
The Akash is longer at 5.78 meters compared to the HQ-7's 3.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and HQ-7 use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the HQ-7 uses Command-guided, Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or HQ-7?
The HQ-7 entered service first in 1980, 29 years before the Akash which entered service in 2009.