Pentagon’s new missile could derail China's Taiwan plans
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
In the Pacific region, confrontation between the US and China is escalating. Washington and its allies continue to increase their military presence, according to The Telegraph.
The US is focusing on the newest weapons technologies capable of deterring a possible invasion of Taiwan by Beijing.
In the spotlight are the new generation high-precision PrSM (Precision Strike Missile) rockets, which recently underwent successful testing in Australia.
According to Lockheed Martin, the missile hit a target at a distance of over 300 km, which is 100 km farther than the current range of older Atacms.
The PrSM can be launched from American HIMARS and British MLRS.
According to American military personnel, the new missiles have increased speed (up to 4,000 km/h), accuracy, and resistance to electronic warfare.
At the same time, two PrSM missiles can be launched from a single launcher, which significantly increases fire density.
"That is the ability to sink Chinese naval vessels in large quantities from ground-based mobile platforms. That’s why I think we need a whole lot of them, fast," noted senior analyst of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Brad Bowman.
According to him, the new system may turn into a deterrent factor capable of postponing or even disrupting Beijing's military plans.
China accelerates preparations for invasion
Beijing, for its part, is also stepping up development. At the beginning of the year, satellite images appeared indicating the construction of landing barges for a potential landing on the coast of Taiwan.
PRC head Xi Jinping has repeatedly declared the inevitability of "reunification" with the island, and American military officials warn that the invasion could occur in the coming years.
On the other hand, a failure of the PRC in a forceful scenario may undermine the stability of the Chinese regime itself.
Currently, Taiwan has received 11 HIMARS systems as part of previous defense contracts. Deliveries of additional missiles are scheduled for 2026.
In case of deployment of PrSM in Taiwan, as well as in Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia, the Chinese fleet will face an unprecedented risk if an invasion begins.
American HIMARS
HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a high-mobility rocket artillery system developed by the American company Lockheed Martin.
It uses high-precision rockets such as GMLRS, which are capable of striking targets at distances of up to 80 km, as well as ATACMS rockets, which can destroy targets at distances of up to 300 km.
The HIMARS system has proven its effectiveness on the battlefield, particularly during the fighting in Ukraine.
