Taiwan unveils Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile specs in push for US$1.13 billion funding

AdvertisementTaiwanChinaMilitaryTaiwan unveils Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile specs in push for US$1.13 billion fundingDevelopers disclose details of Chiang Kung hypersonic interceptor with active radar to convince lawmakers to approve funding 3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenLawrence Chungin TaipeiPublished: 7:57pm, 24 Aug 2026Taiwan’s top weapons developer has unveiled details of its Chiang Kung, or Strong Bow, anti-ballistic missile system as it seeks legislative funding for mass production to strengthen the island’s air defences amid growing pressure from Beijing.The government-funded National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) recently disclosed key specifications of the locally developed system, including its hypersonic speed, two-stage solid-fuel propulsion, guidance system and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.The disclosure comes as the government prepares another attempt to secure funding after the system was excluded from a pared-back special defence spending package approved by the opposition-controlled legislature in May. 02:55Taiwan concludes annual war games, including preparing for PLA sea blockadeThe defence ministry plans to resubmit Strong Bow and other programmes through a supplementary budget, which the cabinet could consider as early as Thursday before sending it to lawmakers. The ministry has proposed spending NT$36.1 billion (US$1.13 billion) to produce two Strong Bow systems and 128 interceptor missiles. Strong Bow, also known as Tien Kung (Sky Bow) IV, is a land-based mid-tier anti-tactical ballistic missile system designed to intercept incoming missiles at altitudes of at least 70km (43 miles) – higher than Taiwan’s existing Patriot and Tien Kung III systems. According to NCSIST, the vertically launched missile can reach hypersonic speeds and uses a two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor. It relies on inertial guidance and radar uplink corrections during midcourse flight before switching to an active seeker in the terminal phase. AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x