Taipei: Taiwan has successfully completed the initial operational evaluation and limited field testing of its Tien Kung IV (Sky Bow IV) air defense missile system, marking a significant leap in the island’s indigenous military capabilities, Taipei Times reported on Sunday.
According to a senior defense official, mass production of the advanced Tien Kung IV is expected to begin in 2026, developed under the Strong Bow program by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology.
🔍 Key Features of Tien Kung IV:
- Maximum Intercept Altitude: 70 km
- Improved Over:
- Tien Kung III (45 km)
- PAC-3 MSE (60 km)
- Capability:
- Intercept high-flying ballistic missiles and cruise missiles
- Greater precision and success rate over previous systems
This enhancement in interception altitude significantly bolsters Taiwan’s layered missile defense network amid rising aerial and ballistic threats from the People’s Republic of China.
📈 Strategic Context and Defense Budget Shift
As Taiwan intensifies its military modernization, sources indicate a strategic pivot:
- Tien Kung III production will be phased out by early 2026, with its NT$27.4 billion (~USD 908 million) budget nearly spent.
- Overall defense spending is expected to rise to 3% of GDP, aligning with U.S. defense partnership expectations.
Notable budget allocations:
- NT$388.3 billion for indigenous missile systems
- NT$247.2 billion for 66 F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets
- NT$116.4 billion (by 2026) to harden command centers, telecom hubs, and training grounds
- NT$500 billion planned for U.S. weapons purchases, with details due in August
🛠️ Next-Gen Defense Programs Under Strong Bow:
- 100 km-range air defense missile system (under development)
- 1,000 km-range surface-to-surface missile
- Albatross UAVs and second-gen Kestrel anti-armor systems
- Expanded 155mm artillery shell production
These efforts come on the heels of recent Land Sword II missile tests and HIMARS drills in Pingtung County, showcasing Taiwan’s preparedness for varied aerial threats.
🌏 Geopolitical Background:
Taiwan’s ramped-up defense posture is situated in the long-running cross-strait tensions:
- Taiwan (Republic of China) operates independently with its own military, government, and economy.
- China, however, considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists on reunification, using diplomatic isolation, economic pressure, and military intimidation.
With growing incursions by the PLA into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and naval exercises around the island, Taiwan’s emphasis on domestic missile technology underscores its resolve to ensure self-defense and strategic deterrence.