China showcases 500km-range rocket, Taiwan vows 'source attack' countermeasure

China's state media has prominently showcased its new PHL-191 modular long-range rocket artillery system, demonstrating its capability to fire 750mm "super rockets" with a range exceeding 500 kilometers. The revelation, featured in a military special on CCTV, highlights the People's Liberation Army's advancements in tactical missile technology and has heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding regions.

The BRE-10 model 750mm rocket, described as surpassing traditional rocket artillery in power and precision, can glide and maneuver at the edge of the atmosphere. Its 500-kilometer range means that if deployed along China's Fujian coast, it could cover all of Taiwan and even reach Japan's westernmost island, Yonaguni.

In response to this asymmetric threat, Taiwanese military officials are urging a shift from traditional air defense strategies. They argue that relying solely on intercepting incoming rockets with expensive systems like the Sky Bow III or Patriot missiles would be economically unviable against China's potential saturation attacks using cheaper rocket artillery. Such a strategy could rapidly deplete Taiwan's air defense inventory.

Taiwan's defense strategy is increasingly focused on "source attack and immediate destruction." This approach prioritizes neutralizing rocket launchers before they can fire or intercepting them during ammunition resupply. Taiwan is enhancing its "detect-strike integration" capabilities, utilizing MQ-9B drones and early warning radars for rapid surveillance, and integrating them with tactical missiles like the US-supplied HIMARS (300km range), as well as indigenous Hsiung Feng IIE and Hsiung Sheng cruise missiles.

Military analysts view China's "long-range rocket show" as a targeted act of military intimidation. They emphasize that beyond hardening military infrastructure, Taiwan must accelerate the production of its own long-range asymmetric strike capabilities. Establishing a deterrent that prevents enemy launch vehicles from leaving their bases is seen as the most viable path to ensuring air defense security in the Taiwan Strait and countering an asymmetric attrition war.