Taiwan NCSIST Completes Sky Sword III Missile Development
Defense News -
Taiwan National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST)
has successfully concluded the development of its latest air-to-air
missile, unveiling the Sky Sword III. Distinguishing itself with an
impressive operational range of 150 kilometers (93 miles), the Sky Sword
III surpasses the speed of its predecessor, the Sky Sword II, boasting a
formidable Mach 6.
The genesis of the Sky Sword missile family
traces back to the mid-1980s when Taiwan introduced the inaugural
variant, the Sky Sword I. This version featured an imaging infrared
seeker, a high-explosive warhead, and a solid propellant motor, equipped
with a fire-and-forget capability that enabled autonomous guidance to
the target upon launch, eliminating the need for further intervention.
Building
on this foundation, the self-governing island later developed the
beyond-visual-range Sky Sword II, designed for simultaneous engagement
with multiple targets. The recent announcement of mass production of the
Sky Sword II marked a significant step in enhancing Taiwan
land-based, short-to-medium-range air defense capabilities.
The
Sky Sword III development is a strategic response to escalating military
threats from China, as acknowledged by a high-ranking government
official. Foreseen as a pivotal component of Taiwan air defense, the Sky
Sword III is anticipated to become the country primary air superiority
weapon. It is set to complement the US-made Avenger missile, forming a
cohesive "layered threat interception" capability for Taipei.
The
broader context of these advancements underscores Taiwan proactive
stance in strengthening its military preparedness amid heightened
tensions with China. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and
has expressed readiness to take forceful action. In light of these
geopolitical dynamics, the Taiwanese government has intensified its
defense investments, exemplified by the procurement of additional High
Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers from the US. These
acquisitions aim to bolster precision strike capabilities, aligning with
Taiwan overarching strategy to fortify its defenses in anticipation
of potential armed conflict.