The Chinese-made HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system makes an appearance at Serbia's military parade held in front of the Palace of Serbia on September 20, 2025. Photo: VCG

Serbia showcased its military strength on Saturday with the "Power of Unity" parade held in front of the Palace of Serbia, marking the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag, Xinhua News Agency reported. 

The event opened with the Serbian national anthem performed by the Guard Orchestra of the Army. Cadets of the Military Academy then carried a 300-meter-long Serbian national flag across the square, underscoring the spirit of national unity, Xinhua reported.

According to Serbia's Ministry of Defense, the parade brought together nearly 10,000 personnel and featured some 2,500 pieces of weaponry and equipment, including more than 600 vehicles, 70 aircraft and 20 vessels, the report said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the event symbolized "the pride of Serbia." "We worked on this together - soldiers and citizens, state and people. This is both the survival and the victory of Serbia, which wants peace and prosperity and knows how to protect its dignity, territory and future," Vucic said on social media.

The parade also showcased tanks purchased by Russia and anti-aircraft systems from China, reflecting Belgrade's cordial relations with Moscow and Beijing, according to the Euro News.

The Chinese-made HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system and the HQ-17 air defense missile system made an appearance. Over 47,000 people watched the military parade on-site that day, with many expressing sentiments such as, "I can't put it into words. It's so impressive," and "China and Serbia are brotherly nations with an ironclad friendship," CCTV News reported.

In April 2022, reports of six Chinese Air Force Y-20 transport planes landed at Belgrade's civilian airport reportedly carrying surface-to-air missile systems for the Serbian military sparked global interest. China's Foreign Ministry clarified that the delivery was part of "an annually scheduled cooperation project between China and Serbia."

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson on April 11, 2022 responded to a media inquiry regarding reports that Serbia took the delivery of a Chinese anti-aircraft system, whether it contained Chinese Air Force's Y-20 transport planes and HQ-22 surface-to-air missiles as was reported. the spokesperson said "to follow through on the bilateral cooperation plan, China has recently sent air force transport planes to deliver conventional military items to Serbia. We hope relevant media can avoid reading too much into it," Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular press conference. 

During a military parade in the city of Kruševac on the occasion of the country's largest religious holiday, the Feast of Vidovdan (also known as St. Vitus Day) in June 2024, then Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said that they were to display the HQ-17AE short-range anti-aircraft defense system from China, adding that this was the first time these systems had been seen by anyone outside of the relevant units. Vucevic also underscored that HQ-17AE systems would provide even better protection to the Serbian airspace and would perfect pair with the country's most powerful air defense weapon, the FK-3, local media reported, according to the previous report of the Global Times.

The FK-3 is an export variant of the HQ-22, according to public media reports.

By late 2024, Serbia's Defense Ministry had highlighted the FK-3 on its website, calling it a "milestone in air defense systems." Captain 1st Class Stefan Manić, the missile battery commander, said, "It is a great honor to be the commander of an air defense missile battery and to work on the most powerful air defense missile system that our country has," according to media reports.

The HQ-22 and HQ-17 hold significant value for Serbia, a country with limited territorial expanse, Song Zhongping, a military affairs expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday. These two missile systems form a high-low mix combat system: the HQ-22 serves as a medium-to-long-range missile, while the HQ-17 functions as a short-to-medium-range missile. Their coordinated operation enables comprehensive coverage of both key point defense and field air defense missions.

Through long-time use by the Chinese military, both systems have undergone extensive testing and demonstrated robust combat capabilities, rapid response efficiency, and reliable support performance. Furthermore, these two systems possess independent operational capabilities, high operational autonomy, and offer assured security and reliability, Song said.

China and Serbia share a traditional friendly relationship, which has been long-standing and tested by time, Song noted. Displaying HQ-22 and HQ-17 missile systems at military parade demonstrates the continuously strengthening military and political mutual trust between the two countries, the expert stressed.