Serbia bolsters air defense with Chinese HQ-9B systems

Serbia is enhancing its air defense network with the acquisition of Chinese-made HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile systems. The move is described as a strategic response to increasing pressures from NATO. This procurement represents a significant deepening of military-technical cooperation between Belgrade and Beijing. The HQ-9B system is considered a high-tier air defense asset, comparable to Russia's S-300 or the U.S. Patriot system.