HQ-61

The Hongqi-61 (Hongqi = Hong Qi, 红旗, meaning Red Flag or Red Banner) is the first generation Chinese SARH guided surface-to-air missile (SAM). It is classified by Chinese as a low-to-medium air defense missile, and the series includes both land-based and shipborne versions, and an anti-radiation version and air-to-air version (designated as PL-11) have also been developed. The naval and anti-radiation versions have been retired from Chinese service but PL-11, the air-to-air version and HQ-61A, the land-based mobile version are still currently in limited service with the Chinese military.

In August, 1965, Chinese Central Military Commission (CMC) issued the request to develop a medium-range SAM. The 25th Research Institute of the 2nd Academy of the Chinese Defense Ministry (CDM) was tasked to do the feasibility study. A month later, in September, 1965, the plan was rapidly finalized and the project was code named Project Hongqi-41 (红旗4l号, Hongqi = Hong Qi, or 红旗, meaning Red Flag or Red Banner). Preliminary design work begun in the same month, and in January, 1966, the plan formally became a national project, and the missile was designated as Hongqi-61 (HQ-61), to reflect the time of its creation and the technologies of 1960’s. By March, 1966, design was in full swing by the 25th Research Institute. In 1967, CMC changed the project to a ship-born SAM due to the urgent Chinese need of fleet air defense, and the primary contractor was changed from the 25th Research Institute of the 2nd Academy of CDM to the 2nd Electro Mechanical Bureau of Shanghai (later reorganized as Shanghai Aerospace Bureau in the early 1980s).

In May, 1970, People's Liberation Army Navy, the 7th Academy of the 6th Ministry of CDM, and 2nd Electro Mechanical Bureau of Shanghai jointly set future developmental plan, and begun the development of HQ-61 series SAM. Contractors and subcontractors involved in the development and production of HQ-61 series SAM included 12 research institutes, 11 factories, 2 test facilities and other smaller players. To reduce risk and costs, a plan of developing a land-based version first, designated simply as HQ-61, and then based on the expertise gained from HQ-61, a naval version designated as HQ-61B would be developed, though other equipments of HQ-61B would be developed in parallel with HQ-61 whenever the situation would have allowed. When a land-based mobile version was added around a decade later, it was designated as HQ-61A, so despite have the A suffix, HQ-61A was actually a later model than HQ-61B. Due to the political turmoil in China, namely, the Cultural Revolution, HQ-61A/B were not completed until 1986, more than two decades later after the project had started, and certification of mass production for HQ-61A/B were granted in 1988.