A Chinese field air-defense system was seen in action during the ongoing China-Russia joint military exercise code-named ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021 in northwestern China.

Its core is the Hongqi-17, which combines positioning, guidance and striking capabilities, and, thanks to its advanced radar system, can intercept multiple targets.

Such a complicated system requires a high level of skill from its operators. 

"It can initiate radar and launch missiles in less than a minute. Within this time frame, we need to figure out whether the target is true or false, and coming from an enemy or from us," said Zhou Bai, a radar operator from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command.

It is equipped with a tried-and-true anti-aircraft gun-missile system. "We give prominence to the coordination of multiple anti-aircraft weapons in time and space. We test the striking capacity under extreme conditions," said Xu Bowen from PLA Western Theater Command in explaining the strategy behind using the weapon system.

Based on network information systems, the air defense forces form a barrage by using surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft guns.

"The whole exercise focuses on precision, coordination, high-efficiency and tempering joint operations," said Xue Wenjun, a battalion commander.

He said that for the joint exercise where the system is being used, troops from both China and Russia will participate and test an operational plan aimed at striking terrorist activities.