Taiwan unveils plans for new ‘carrier killer’ anti-ship missile to counter PLA naval power

Taiwan has announced the development of a next-generation, long-range subsonic anti-ship cruise missile, part of a layered “carrier-killer” strategy alongside its supersonic Hsiung Feng III variants and coastal defenses. The plan emphasizes mass production, survivability, and integration with island-wide kill chains as Chinese naval pressure increases.

Taiwan’s current anti-shipping capabilities

Taiwan already maintains a diverse and layered portfolio of anti-ship weapons designed to target enemy ships from multiple directions and ranges, complicating defensive planning.

Major systems in service include:

• Hsung Feng III (HF-3): Supersonic anti-ship missile capable of high-G terminal maneuvers for sea-skimming and obstacle avoidance.

• HF-3 Extended Range (HF-3ER): A land-based variant was revealed during the Han Kuang 41 exercise, reported to have a range of up to ~400 km.

• Hsung Feng II (HF-2): A subsonic, medium-range missile deployed on both ships and mobile coastal batteries.

• Air-launched HF-3: Currently under development for Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF), with an additional airborne strike axis.

• Tuo Chiang-class stealth corvettes: High-speed missile craft optimized for coastal ambush and saturation strikes.

• Shore-based missile batteries: Road-mobile launchers for HF-2 and HF-3 missiles, capable of rapid dispersal.

• Integrated targeting networks: A combination of coastal radar, UAV surveillance, and maritime patrol assets provide real-time targeting data.

• This arsenal enables multi-axis, saturation attack profiles designed to sink PLAN carrier groups, destroyer screens, and amphibious task forces before they approach Taiwan’s coastline.

The Hsung Feng III (HF-3) supersonic anti-ship cruise missile is launched from a road-mobile Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) during a live-fire exercise. Developed by Taiwan’s National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology, the HF-3 is capable of sea-skimming flight and high-G terminal maneuvers, making it a key component of Taiwan’s layered coastal defense strategy. (Li Dewai/Wikimedia)

How the new missile fits into the layered strategy

The proposed subsonic missile is expected to offer extended range, low radar signature, and potentially lower production cost compared to supersonic systems, making it suitable for mass deployment. Although slower than the HF-3, its low detectability and long endurance would allow it to be fired from outside the protective cover of PLAN warships.

In the event of a large-scale attack, the missiles could operate in conjunction with HF-3 and HF-3ER salvos—which combine the stealthy, low-altitude approach of subsonic weapons with the speed and terminal agility of supersonic platforms to saturate and confuse enemy air defense systems.

Why Now: A Competition for Range and Resilience

The announcement comes amid the PLA’s expanding fleet, including increased Chinese naval operations and more frequent carrier deployments near Taiwan. U.S. and allied defense planners have repeatedly warned that the PLA’s growing arsenal of long-range strike systems could challenge Taiwan’s ability to defend itself unless it diversifys, strengthens, and expands its strike capabilities.

Recent months have seen:

• Public deployment of HF-3ER units during major exercises.

• Expansion of coastal missile battery drills.

• Increasing integration of UAV and radar targeting into strike planning.

New missile program signals Taiwan’s intention to confront any PLAN surface group approaching its waters with a layered, multi-domain kill chain.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s aircraft carrier Liaoning (CV-16) is underway during operations in the Western Pacific. As China’s first operational carrier, Liaoning plays a key role in PLAN power projection and will likely serve as an integral element in any large-scale operation against Taiwan, providing air cover, strike capability, and a mobile command platform. (Japanese MoD)

Unknown and Speculation

Taiwan has not disclosed the missile’s exact range, warhead type, or propulsion system. However, the purchase of a frequency-agile magnetron suggests an advanced radar seeker with improved resistance to jamming. Analysts speculate that the design could be a derivative of the Hsiung Feng IIE cruise missile, optimized for maritime targeting.

Possible deployment options include:

• Road-mobile coastal battery.

• Integration on corvettes or frigates.

• Air-launched variants from IDF or upgraded F-16 fighters.

Opportunities and Threats

Subsonic missile with stealth features:

• Would be cheaper to mass produce and easier to field in large numbers.

• Increased deterrence and survivability.

• Take advantage of ocean skimming profiles to reduce the detection window.

However, subsonic missiles remain more vulnerable to interception if detected, requiring coordinated salvos, electronic warfare support, and well-timed multi-axis attacks to maximize penetration.

Regional context

This move aligns with a broader regional trend toward distributed coastal anti-ship capabilities. The United States has deployed naval strike missiles to the Philippines, Japan has invested in extended-range anti-ship missiles, and Australia is pursuing similar capabilities under its defense modernization plans.

Taiwan’s new missile will first strengthen the northern part of the island chain, adding indigenous strike depth to the allied maritime deterrence network.

What to watch for next

• Prototype rollouts and public testing.

• Basing and dispersal patterns for coastal batteries.

• Integration with UAVs and over-the-horizon radar for targeting.

• Production scaling and supply chain security measures.

Republic of China Air Force F-16V Viper armed with AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile during a patrol mission. Harpoon, a subsonic cruise missile, extends Taiwan’s maritime strike reach and is a key component of its deterrence strategy against potential naval threats. In addition to air-launched variants, Taiwan has acquired ground-based Harpoon systems to strengthen its maritime defenses. (RoCAF)

In Conclusion

Taiwan’s planned long-range subsonic anti-ship missiles are not intended to replace its current “carrier killer” systems, but rather to complement them in a mass-and-mix strategy. By integrating a more stealthy, more affordable cruise missile into its existing arsenal, Taiwan would increase the complexity and cost of any PLAN naval operations in the Taiwan Strait – buying critical time and space in the event of a conflict.

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