Taiwan has declared its new Qingtian hypersonic missile system operational, signaling a major advance in the island democracy’s defensive capabilities against potential threats from mainland China.
The domestically developed missiles, mounted on both fixed launchers and Czech-made mobile platforms, have an estimated range of 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles), putting huge portions of mainland China within reach.
Defense analysts say the system’s deployment represents Taiwan’s most advanced missile development in decades, amid growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out using force to achieve unification.
The missiles’ range would allow Taiwan to target areas as far as Beijing and Inner Mongolia, including major military installations and industrial centers, according to defense experts.
Taiwan has accelerated its indigenous weapons development in recent years, spurred by China’s increasing military activities near the island.
The People’s Liberation Army regularly conducts military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and has sent aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
The United States, while maintaining strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan’s defense, has approved multiple arms sales to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the U.S. to provide Taiwan with the means to maintain its defensive capabilities.
