Taiwan unveils Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile specs in push for US$1.13 billion funding

Taiwan's primary weapons developer has unveiled key details of its indigenous Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile system as it pushes for legislative funding to bolster the island's air defenses against growing pressure from Beijing. The government-funded National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) recently disclosed specifications including hypersonic speed, a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion, advanced guidance systems, and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

This disclosure comes as the defense ministry prepares to resubmit its funding request. The Strong Bow system was previously excluded from a pared-back special defense spending package approved by the opposition-controlled legislature in May. The ministry plans to seek NT$36.1 billion (US$1.13 billion) through a supplementary budget for the mass production of two Strong Bow systems and 128 interceptor missiles.

Designated Tien Kung (Sky Bow) IV, the Strong Bow is a land-based, mid-tier anti-tactical ballistic missile system. It is engineered to intercept incoming threats at altitudes exceeding 70 kilometers, surpassing the capabilities of Taiwan's current Patriot and Tien Kung III systems. According to NCSIST, the vertically launched missile utilizes inertial guidance and radar uplink corrections during its midcourse flight, transitioning to an active seeker in the terminal phase.

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The defence ministry plans to resubmit Strong Bow and other programmes through a supplementary budget, which the cabinet could consider as early as Thursday before sending it to lawmakers.