Amid increasing tensions with China, Taiwan’s military has revealed a new generation of missiles with far larger ranges than previous ones. It’s part of a plan to more effectively deter an attack from across the strait.
Rock music plays as a fighter jet soars into the sky to intercept a Chinese attack. Taiwan’s defense ministry is showing off its capabilities in a new training video on Facebook. But China’s military has grown considerably in strength in recent years. That’s why Taiwan has asked its missile manufacturers to step up their game.
The range of Taiwan’s Thunderbolt-2000 rockets has gone from 45 to 300 kilometers. The Ten Thousand Sword rocket has doubled its limit to 400 kilometers. The Brave Wind IIE Cruise Missile can now fly up to 1000 kilometers. And two previously secret missiles both have four-digit ranges.
Defense Committee member Lo Chih-cheng is impressed. He says both the defense ministry and National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology are helping to deter a Chinese attack. Lo says he has no comment on these particular weapons. But he reiterates the importance of providing an effective military deterrent.
Last year, the US sold Taiwan HIMARS rocket launchers, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and extended-range land attack missiles. Those will be arriving soon. Authorities hope that means China will think twice before coming this way.