Aiming High: How Taiwan’s Cruise Missiles Redefine Their Regional Power Play

They are back at it again in the continuing turmoil brewing in the Indo-Pacific region; Taiwan’s been stirring the pot with its latest weapon showcase—featuring the Hsiung Feng IIE cruise missile. But as the dust settles on this revelation, the battlefield’s complexities and the missile’s own Achilles’ heels come sharply into focus.

The Chinese media has been throwing shade, questioning the missile’s chops and what it means for the region.

Let’s dive into the drama, dissect the tech talk, and see what’s really at stake here.

The Hsiung Feng IIE Spotlight

As the missile arced across the sky in August 2023, with a range that whispers threats into the heartland of mainland China, the stage was set for a fresh round of saber-rattling.

Yet, amidst this show of force, voices from the Chinese media have cast shadows of doubt, critiquing the missile’s prowess with a skeptic’s eye.

At the heart of this unfolding drama lies the Hsiung Feng IIE, Taiwan’s bold answer to the looming specter of aggression, and that echoes the prowess of Uncle Sam’s revered Tomahawk. This missile, boasting a reach of up to 1,200 kilometers (745 miles), is a testament to Taiwan’s resolve.

Taiwan's Hsiung Feng IIE surface-2-surface cruise missiles can reach China's 3 Gorges Dam. Taiwan's Yun Feng surface-2-surface supersonic cruise missiles can put both the 3 Gorges Dam & Beijing w/in Taiwan's striking range. This is a credible deterrence. We must #StandWithTaiwan! https://t.co/Ov8ek9jdg9

— Solomon Yue (@SolomonYue) June 7, 2020

But this isn’t a silver bullet. From the corridors of Beijing, through the pages of Ordnance Industry Science Technology, comes a volley of skepticism.

Accordingly, its size, more boulder than a bullet, coupled with its “subsonic speed” crawl and the glaring absence of stealth, paints a target on its back, as the South China Morning Post first disclosed.

It’s a sitting duck in the sky for any defense system worth its salt.

This missile narrative isn’t just about hardware; it’s about the message it sends across the strait.

Beijing, ever watchful, sees Taiwan’s missile maneuvering as a challenge to the status quo.

Taiwan’s strategic shift from a shield to a spear, arming itself with capabilities that can reach and touch the mainland, alters the balance of power, albeit with a question mark hanging over its head.

The Devil in the Details

The road to missile supremacy is fraught with hurdles.

Precision striking isn’t just about having the right arrows in the quiver; it’s about knowing where to aim.

And here, Taiwan hits a snag.

🚨🇹🇼 Taiwan's military tests a secret cruise missile, very likely the Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E) that can hit targets well inside the People's Republic of China. pic.twitter.com/YSNCVwkMaT

— Terror Alarm (@Terror_Alarm) August 16, 2023

Without the eyes in the sky to paint the targets, these missiles could well be shooting in the dark, relying on the United States satellite systems to guide their hand.

Then there’s the Great Wall of air defenses China boasts—an evolving fortress that keeps its secrets close.

The question of whether Taiwan’s missile can dance through this defensive maze remains a puzzle wrapped in an enigma.

Echoes in the Asia-Pacific

Yet, what’s unfolding isn’t merely a bilateral spat.

The implications ripple out, touching on the deep and turbulent waters of Asia-Pacific geopolitics.

Taiwan’s missile test and China’s response feed into the larger narrative of a region caught in the throes of power shifts and strategic jockeying.

With Beijing casting a wary eye on Uncle Sam’s arms sales to Taiwan, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Each move and countermove on this strategic chessboard not only tests the resolve of those directly involved but also shapes the calculations of other players across the region.

Conclusion: The Strategic Dance Continues

In the end, the discourse surrounding the Hsiung Feng IIE cruise missile encapsulates more than just technical critiques; it’s a mirror reflecting the broader tensions and the intricate dance of deterrence and power projection that define the Taiwan Strait.

As this saga unfolds, the eyes of the world remain fixed on this flashpoint, where the ambitions of a rising superpower meet the indomitable spirit of an island determined to chart its own course.

The critique from across the strait, then, is but a single note in the symphony of regional dynamics, a testament to the enduring complexity and volatility that characterizes the Asia-Pacific chessboard.

Strengthening bonds with the United States and other allies becomes not just strategic but survival.

With eyes wide open and allies by its side, Taiwan navigates these waters, a testament to the enduring spirit of autonomy in the face of towering adversaries.