Taiwan's Reinforced Air Force Hangars May Be In Vain, Can't Withstand Strikes By Xi Jinping's Military's New Missiles, Say Experts

As Taiwan plans to build stronger hangars for its fighter jets to counter Beijing, experts warn that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s military's recently developed short-range guided missiles can pierce any reinforced aircraft base.

What Happened: Taiwan's defense ministry, earlier this month, sought continued funding for its seven-year plan to build 36 new hangars at the air force's largest base in the central city of Taichung amid escalating tensions with China. 

See Also: How Xi Jinping Is Preparing To Win Chip Battle With US: $143B Package, WTO Dispute, Allying With South Korea

However, defense expert Andrei Chang warned that China's short-range missiles designed for precision strikes with bigger payloads might render those plans futile.

"China's ballistic missiles and multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) now use the BeiDou satellite navigation and terminal infrared image guidance systems, enabling them to hit any reinforced aircraft hangar and penetrate it precisely," Chang, editor-in-chief of Canada-based military magazine Kanwa Asian Defence told SCMP.

Chiang — citing a promotional video for the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) export version M20 — said the four-tonne missile could be armed with "fuel-air warheads" to destroy targets completely.

"With a less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) of circular error probability [for the missiles], all efforts to reinforce fighter jet hangars in Taiwan would amount to nothing when dealing with the PLA," Chang said.

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