Taiwan academic urges approval for hypersonic missile production budget

A Taiwanese academic is appealing to lawmakers to pass the budget for the mass production of a domestically developed hypersonic missile, a crucial component for Taiwan's defense strategy. Shen Rong-chin, an associate professor at York University in Canada, expressed concern that the proposed defense budget for the upcoming year might face significant obstruction, particularly from the "blue-white" political camps.

Shen highlighted the missile, previously known as the Yun Feng missile and now referred to as the "Qing Tian Hypersonic Cruise Missile" by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), as a milestone in Taiwan's indigenous military research. With speeds between Mach 3 and 5, it is estimated to have a strategic range of 1,200 to 2,000 kilometers. This capability would allow it to strike key strategic targets and military bases in mainland China, including Beijing and Wuhan, directly from Taiwan.

The academic stressed that such a weapon system is vital for establishing a "preemptive strike" capability and strategic deterrence against China's military threats. He noted that Taiwan is one of the few countries globally capable of producing hypersonic cruise missiles, which could penetrate anti-missile defense systems. The budget, currently awaiting legislative review, is intended to move the missile from its research and development phase, supported by classified funds, into mass production.

Shen drew a parallel to the past, recalling how the "blue-white" parties and media lauded China's development of hypersonic missiles in 2019, emphasizing the technological gap between the two sides. He urged them to apply the same positive assessment to Taiwan's own hypersonic missile, recognizing its importance as a defensive asset. He warned that Beijing would likely exert pressure to block its development, and that political obstruction in Taiwan could jeopardize a critical moment for the island's military advancement.

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I hope the blue-white camps remember how highly they evaluated China's hypersonic missiles back then. The same evaluation perfectly explains why it is a sharp weapon for defending Taiwan. I hope they can use the same attitude to praise and pass the budget for the mass production of Taiwan's hypersonic missiles, and not find unconvincing reasons to deliberately obstruct this important moment for Taiwan's military development.