Since Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, Tension has been at an all-time high between China and Taiwan. Taiwan has been on high alert since then. What the future holds, we don’t know, but we can estimate how long Taiwan can hold off the Chinese invasion.
What are the most capable weapons of Taiwan that could resist Chinese invaders? Here are the top 10 Taiwanese weapons that could resist a Chinese invasion.
1. M1A2T Abrams
First, we have The M1A2T Abrams tanks are a variant of M1A2SEPV2, specially customized for Taiwanese Army requirements.
The weapon’s M1A2 SEP model has been upgraded numerous ways to increase its survivability in combat and other hazardous situations.
It was also capable of running on diesel and military-grade jet fuel. To replace its aging fleet of M60A3 Patton and CM-11 Brave Tiger tanks, which have been in service for almost two decades, Taiwan has bought 108 units of the Abrams.
The Taiwanese military reportedly has $1.42 billion to pay for these tanks.
2. FIM 92 Stinger
Stinger missiles are being utilized on the Ukrainian battlefield, wreaking havoc on Russian air assets as they did a generation ago in the Afghanistan conflict. They are also common among Taiwanese people.
The Stinger missile’s pinpoint accuracy results from its infrared seeker, which zeroes in on the exhaust heat.
The Stinger missile has an 8-mile (12-km) range and can reach targets at altitudes of up to 11,500 feet (3,500 meters).
This means that the Stinger missile has a good chance of hitting a moving target as long as it is slow, within range, and visible as a shape rather than a dot.
3. The Hsiung Feng III ER
This supersonic anti-ship cruise missile has a warhead that can go through armor and causes a lot of damage when it hits its target.
The weight of the warhead is 225 kilograms. It is estimated that the missile has a range of over 932 miles at its highest capability, with an operational range of 250 miles.
The Hsiung Feng can deactivate airfields and defense stations in the southeastern sections of the mainland, such as missile batteries and radar systems.
In the air, the capacity to threaten airbases and perhaps ground a chunk of the PLA’s air fleet might be a game-changer.
4. Land Attack cruise missile
The Yun Feng is a supersonic land-attack cruise missile from Taiwan. The missile created by the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology has a maximum range of 2,000 kilometers, putting Beijing within striking distance.
This thing can reach speeds of up to 1,030 meters per second thanks to its solid rocket booster and ramjet engine. It can transport a high explosive and fragmentation warhead that can penetrate light armor.
It is one of the few weapons in Taiwan’s arsenal capable of striking targets in northern and central PRC People’s Republic of China.
5. The Sky Sword 2
This is a Taiwanese medium-range, radar-guided air-to-air missile. The Sky Sword II was created domestically to counter the PLA’s PL-12 air-to-air missile and maintains a 100km range.
It is Among the few operational air-to-air missiles (AAMs) in the world that can reach speeds of more than Mach 5. This missile is more cost-effective than the slower American AIM-120C and French MICA missiles employed by Taiwan’s imported fourth-generation aircraft.
It can engage numerous targets and can use electronic countermeasures.
6. The AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER
This weapon is an advanced stand-off precision-guided, air-launched cruise missile. When compared against other missiles in the U.S. Navy’s arsenal, the SLAM-circular ER’s error probable (CEP) was the best.
Whether day or night, above or below the horizon, in all weather, this missile can be counted on to hit its land and marine targets with pinpoint accuracy.
The United States Department of State authorized the export of 135 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missiles to Taiwan on October 21.
7. Tien-Kung III (Sky Bow III).
It is a surface-to-air missile system (SAM) that was developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) in Taiwan to enhance Taiwan’s military forces’ capacity for air defense.
Its primary purpose is to intercept and destroy long- and medium-range aerial threats such as cruise missiles, anti-radiation missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles.
It can engage many targets at once and operate autonomously or in coordinated upper-level groupings. It has the capability of flying at speeds greater than the speed of sound and can travel up to 200 kilometers.
8. The AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon.
On behalf of three FMS clients, Raytheon Missiles and Defense will upgrade the technical data package & software for the AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon Block III (JSOW-C1).
Recipients of upgraded software for the network-enabled air-launched missile will include Bahrain, Canada, and Taiwan. The JSOW incorporates a low-signature/stealth design.
The weapon’s modular body allows it to add new sensors, warheads, and sub-munitions. The stealth features make it easier for the missile to hit targets that are being actively defended. The payload bay can hold both dangerous and harmless items.
9. MIM-104 Patriot
Amid mounting pressure from China, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has decided to purchase more Patriot III missiles from the United States to strengthen the island’s air defenses.
The Patriot missile is a long-range, all-altitude air defense system capable of countering tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced enemy aircraft. It has a maximum range of 43 miles and an altitude of over 15.
The weapon system has the latest variant, Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3), which boasts increased effectiveness against tactical ballistic and cruise missiles using advanced hit-to-kill technology.
10. The F-16V fighters
Soon the F-16V will join the incoming indigenous Brave Eagles as the top fighters in Taiwan’s air force, with 120 older F-16A/B fighters expected to be upgraded to an advanced version.
A further 66 newly produced F-16s were ordered in 2019, the F-16 Block 70/72, which boast A further 66 newly produced F-16s were ordered in 2019, the F-16 Block 70/72, which boast
Similar advanced avionics to the F-16V but use more modern airframe designs. The F-16V is equipped with modern avionics and electronic warfare systems and a powerful
Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar provides far greater situational awareness, a lower radar signature, and lower susceptibility to electronic warfare.
