TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Military News Agency on Oct. 2 released footage of the new Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile system. 

Lu Chien-sheng (盧健勝), deputy head of the Sky Bow program, said the Strong Bow features a two-stage design with an interceptor vehicle and a booster, while its exterior is made of composite materials, per Taiwan Security Monitor. During terminal flight, a thrust-vectoring control system allows it to correct its trajectory to intercept incoming missiles.

He added that the system’s radar is Taiwan’s first domestically produced AESA radar. It can search, track, classify, and identify targets, and guide the missile to its interception point.

The Strong Bow system has a mobile design to enhance battlefield survivability. As needed, it can be controlled through a battalion command system to coordinate with other air-defense missiles in joint operations.

Under the Strong Bow program, also known as Sky Bow IV, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has developed two extended-range variants of the Sky Bow III, Liberty Times. Strong Bow I is designed to reach an interception altitude of 70 km, surpassing the Patriot PAC-3.

Strong Bow II has two versions: Type A can intercept targets up to 100 km in altitude, matching the US THAAD system, while Type B is reportedly a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile with an estimated range of 1,000 km.

The program’s first phase will produce the two Strong Bow systems and 128 missiles at an estimated cost of NT$36.6 billion (US$1.2 billion).