United States-Taiwan collaboration results in debut of co-produced weapons system: missile
Taiwan Unveils Autonomous, Low-Cost Cruise Missile in Response to China's Military Threat
During the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition, the Taiwanese government unveiled a new missile, the Barracuda-500, jointly manufactured with US company Anduril Industries. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), the military-owned organization responsible for the missile's development and production, plans to mass produce the Barracuda-500 missile in Taiwan through technology transfer.
In a statement, NCSIST President Lee Shih-chiang emphasized Taiwan's need for self-resilience, stating that unlike Ukraine, it does not have other continents to provide reinforcements. He also expressed the goal of building Taiwan's defense capabilities more swiftly and efficiently with the latest technologies.
The Barracuda-500 missile is an autonomous, low-cost cruise missile designed for group attacks on warships. It is similar to exploding drones and is intended to have a cost per missile below NT$6.5 million (US$216,493). The NCSIST plans to sign two contracts and six memorandums of understanding with six unspecified US and Canadian companies during the trade show, but the list of companies remains undisclosed.
Taiwan is seeking greater international support aside from the US, as President William Lai has stated his intention to deepen security cooperation with the US and jointly develop and manufacture weapons. The unveiling of the Barracuda-500 missile marks a major step in the defense cooperation between Taiwan and the United States, and it is seen as a response to China's military threat.
In addition, Taiwan has set a goal of spending 5 percent of its GDP on defense by 2030, up from a target of 3.3 percent next year. The NCSIST did not provide a timeline for production or expected volume of the Barracuda-500 missile. Anduril Industries did not respond to a request for comment.
The unveiling of the Barracuda-500 missile comes at a time when tensions between Taiwan and China are high. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. The US, on the other hand, has pledged to support Taiwan's self-defense and to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Barracuda-500 missile is a clear demonstration of Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities in the face of China's military threat.
