CHINA has unveiled new “dirt cheap” missiles, already in mass production after successful combat trials, as fears grow that President Xi Jingping is about to invade Taiwan.
The hypersonic glide missiles, produced by a private aerospace firm, are 40 times cheaper than US equivalent weapons.
Bejing aerospace firm Lingkong Tianxing’s new war toy, the YKJ-1000, reportedly costs $99,000 per unit and are capable of flying at Mach 7 with an 800 mile range.
The “dirt cheap” missiles are made from civilian-grade materials like foamed cement and mass-produced commercial components, enabling the unusually low manufacturing costs.
It is believed to be the first instance of a commercial firm offering a strategic-level weapon to the Chinese military.
In a promotional video, the new missiles’ capabilities are illustrated by a doctored airstrike on Japan.
The missile maintains powered flight for 360 seconds, according to the company.
A company spokesperson said the missile was able to be launched from a shipping container, and was: “designed for rapid, precision strikes against high-value targets deep in enemy territory”.
An version of the weapon incorporating artificial intelligence-enabled decision-making and swarm collaboration capabilities is under development, according to local media reports.
State media and military analysts say the affordability of the new missiles could upend global defence markets due to the imbalance between low-cost offence and high-cost defence.
Experts say the “cement-coated” YKJ-1000 could prove “formidably competitive” internationally.
A single SM-6 naval interceptor costs about US$4.1 million, over 40 times the price of one YKJ-1000.
Meanwhile, the THAAD system costs US$12-15 million for each interceptor, while the Patriot PAC-3 that Taiwan hopes to buy would cost US$3.7-4.2 million each.
It comes as China has been bullying its tiny neighbour Taiwan – with all the signs of gearing up for an invasion.
As tensions between historic foes China and Japan explode over Taiwan, Beijing has warned the world that it is ready for war.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15581239/china-unveils-concrete-missile-xi-eyes-taiwan/
