Pakistan’s Armed Forces have showcased an air defense system that appears similar to China’s HQ-17A short-range surface-to-air missile system, Bloomberg reported.

The system was shown briefly in a promotional video posted by the Pakistan Army on X on Monday. The footage features a six-wheeled military vehicle fitted with a large rectangular radar array, but the Army did not identify the equipment.

Bloomberg said that if the system is indeed the HQ-17A, it would be the first known sale of the platform to Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Armed Forces, air force and China’s Ministry of Defense had not responded to requests for comment at the time of the report. China’s official military press account, however, identified the model in a post on X.

The HQ-17A is a Chinese short-range air defense system developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. It was first publicly displayed in 2019.

The system is designed to protect military units and key areas from aerial threats. China operates both the HQ-17 and the newer HQ-17A, while export versions have also been supplied to countries including Serbia and Tajikistan.

The apparent display comes as military ties between Pakistan and China continue to expand. China has been a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan, including the J-10C fighter jets used by the Pakistan Air Force.

During the 2025 Pakistan-India conflict, Pakistan said its J-10C jets shot down several Indian aircraft. India disputed the claims, and the exact losses on both sides remain contested.