Akash vs HQ-9
The Akash and the HQ-9 are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The HQ-9 has a range of 200 km — 4.4x the Akash's 45 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the HQ-9. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 180 kg for the HQ-9. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 2,000 kg for the HQ-9. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the HQ-9 relies on Semi-active radar homing. The HQ-9 entered service 8 years before the Akash (2001 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 2001, uses semi-active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Long-range surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation |
| Service year | 2001 |
| 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 | 200.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 2,000 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 180.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 6.80 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 700 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High-explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or HQ-9?
The HQ-9 has a longer range at 200 km compared to the Akash's 45 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or HQ-9?
The HQ-9 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the Akash's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or HQ-9?
The HQ-9 carries a larger warhead at 180 kg compared to the Akash's 60 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or HQ-9?
The HQ-9 is heavier at 2,000 kg compared to the Akash's 720 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or HQ-9?
The HQ-9 is longer at 6.80 meters compared to the Akash's 5.78 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and HQ-9 use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the HQ-9 uses Semi-active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or HQ-9?
The HQ-9 entered service first in 2001, 8 years before the Akash which entered service in 2009.