The AGM-158 belongs to a new generation of U.S. out-of-area launch air-to-surface missiles.
In response to Taiwan’s desire to purchase the AGM-158 stealth cruise missile from the United States, Chinese Communist Party military experts said on the 20th that this is a dangerous signal.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China revealed on the 19th that it is seeking to purchase the advanced AGM-158 stealth cruise missile from the United States causing widespread concern. U.S. media said on the 19th that this weapon will greatly change the attack capability of Taiwan’s military and enhance the deterrence against the mainland.
The AGM-158 is considered one of the most advanced cruise missiles currently available, with a range of up to 370 kilometers. Lockheed Martin, the missile’s manufacturer, said it is designed to destroy high-value, heavily defended fixed or moving targets.
Taiwan’s current F-16 fighter jets can mount the missile to launch attacks outside the range of enemy air defenses. The AGM-158 also has stealth capabilities and can operate around the clock.
The AGM-158 is part of a new generation of U.S. out-of-range launch air-to-surface missiles, divided into two models, A and B. In addition, the U.S. is also developing a long-range anti-ship missile based on the AGM-158B, which has achieved family development.
Compared to Taiwan’s active duty and U.S.-made missiles that have been approved for procurement, the AGM-158’s performance can be said to have leapfrogged generations. The AGM-158 is a completely new model, and its most significant feature is its non-circular cross-sectional body, which has better radar stealth characteristics and a large increase in range.
In response, Chinese military experts point out that Taiwan’s quest for a newer generation of attack missiles sends a dangerous signal. Previous U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have not been offensive weapons, and the F-16A/B fighter jets provided to Taiwan in 1992 were deliberately taken out of the ground attack capability until years later, when the matching ground attack missiles were sold in batches. But in recent years, U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan have become increasingly free of this restriction.
Chinese Communist Party experts say the SLAM-ER, which the then-Trump administration approved for sale to Taiwan in 2020, already has a very strong offensive overtone. The AGM-158, which Taiwan is now requesting from the United States, has a range of up to 370 kilometers, which is not intended for the “defense of Taiwan” but rather for the mainland.
Taiwan wants to buy the AGM-158 stealth cruise missile from the United States.
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