After the purchase of the Tor-M1 in the 1990s, the PLA asked Russia to sell them a production licence, but was refused. As a result, they decided to copy and modernise it. In 2015, the HQ-17 was revealed: a copy of the Tor-M1 with upgraded ESA radars, thermal visor, and new missiles with longer range. The HQ-17 is operated by the PLA only; however, its wheeled variant was purchased by Serbia and Saudi Arabia.

The HQ-17 was introduced in Update "Storm Warning". It is a strictly anti-aircraft vehicle with very low chances against ground vehicles. Tall and with armour useful only against 7.62 mm bullets, the HQ-17 can neither hide nor take a hit. Electronics are situated all around the hull and turret, resulting in an inability to fire after any penetration. Mobility is decent, on par with medium tanks. Its missiles do have longer range than on the Tor-M1, but motor start delay after launch results in a significant dead zone. Although the HQ-17 can track planes with the thermal scope without triggering RWR, a huge smoke trail will warn even the most unaware pilot about the incoming missile.