Missile LY-60

The LY-60, also designated HQ-6, is a family of air defense missiles. Development began in the late 1970s, with the system incorporating technologies from the PL-11 and the Italian Aspide. The missile family entered service in the late 1980s and has evolved through several iterations, including the initial HQ-61, the HQ-64, and the LY-60 export variant first revealed in 1994.

The system intercepts aircraft and missiles at medium-to-low altitudes. It utilizes solid-fuel rocket motor propulsion and operates at supersonic speeds. Guidance is provided by semi-active radar homing or active radar homing. The command and control system includes a microprocessor-based artificial interference system for electronic counter-countermeasures. The associated search radar tracks up to 40 targets simultaneously, while the tracking radar follows 12 targets and can engage three simultaneously. The missile carries a warhead triggered by impact or proximity detonation. Launch platforms include truck-mounted transporter erector launchers and naval vessels. Early versions utilized launching rails, while later variants transitioned to container box launchers to increase missile capacity per vehicle. The HQ-6A variant integrates the missile launcher with a close-in weapon system.

The missile system is primarily operated by China. It was initially deployed on Type 053H2G frigates, although the naval variant was eventually replaced by the HQ-7 system. Land-based versions are utilized in integrated air defense networks, with command vehicles capable of controlling up to four batteries. The system has been exported to Ethiopia, Morocco, and Sudan. Pakistan is a former operator.