Beijing, Sept 2025 – China stunned the world during its Victory Day Parade in Beijing by showcasing its cutting-edge air defense systems, with one weapon in particular grabbing worldwide attention – the HQ-29 missile defense system, dubbed a “Satellite Killer”.
For the first time, Beijing displayed the HQ-29, a highly advanced anti-ballistic and anti-satellite missile system capable of targeting not only aerial threats but also enemy satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). This development underscores China’s shift from regional defense to a global power posture, with the ability to challenge U.S. and allied dominance in both air and space.
🔰 China’s Six-Tiered Defense Showcase
During the parade, China introduced six major air defense systems – HQ-11, HQ-20, HQ-22A, HQ-9C, HQ-19, and HQ-29 – reflecting the evolution of its multi-layered defense strategy.
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HQ-11: Designed for terminal defense, effective against short-range cruise missiles, helicopters, and drones.
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HQ-20 & HQ-22A: Medium-range anti-aircraft systems, making their first public appearance, capable of intercepting high-altitude drones and modern fighter jets.
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HQ-9C: A multi-layered ballistic defense system, intercepting threats within the atmosphere, including some ballistic missiles.
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HQ-19: Comparable to America’s THAAD, it is equipped to intercept hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and advanced ballistic threats.
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HQ-29: The star of the parade, an advanced system capable of intercepting long-range ballistic missiles in mid-course and destroying satellites in orbit.
🚀 HQ-29: The ‘Satellite Killer’
The HQ-29 represents the pinnacle of China’s anti-ballistic missile (ABM) technology. Each interceptor is around 7.5 meters long and 1.5 meters in diameter, optimized for mid-course interception in space.
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Comparable to America’s SM-3 and Russia’s S-500, the HQ-29 stands out for its dual capability:
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ABM role: Neutralizing long-range ballistic missiles before they re-enter the atmosphere.
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ASAT role: Destroying satellites in low-Earth orbit, threatening critical systems like GPS, Starlink, and military communication satellites.
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This makes the HQ-29 a strategic game-changer, providing China with the ability to disrupt an enemy’s command, control, and communication networks during conflict.
🌌 Impact on Global Space Power Balance
The unveiling of the HQ-29 is seen as a direct challenge to U.S. space dominance. Analysts warn that such systems could target America’s satellite constellations, which form the backbone of navigation, intelligence, and modern warfare.
The HQ-29’s capabilities align closely with Russia’s PL-19 Nudol ASAT system, further intensifying the space militarization race. Together, these developments accelerate a new era of space-based competition where satellites, once seen as untouchable assets, are now at risk.
⚠️ Global Security Concerns
Experts argue that the deployment of the HQ-29 may destabilize the strategic balance of power, sparking an arms race in outer space. Beyond defending China’s territorial integrity, the HQ-29 positions Beijing as a major space power, with implications reaching far beyond Asia.
In the words of defense analysts, “The HQ-29 is not just a missile system—it’s a message. China is signaling that it has the capability to fight and win wars not just on land, air, and sea, but also in space.”
With the introduction of the HQ-29 “Satellite Killer”, China has expanded its defense frontier from wind to space, marking a pivotal moment in modern warfare and reshaping the future of global security.
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