TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Air Force has completed mass production and deployed its Ching Tien I long-range supersonic cruise missile, while an upgraded version is reportedly being developed with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers.
The ministry's proposed 2027 budget includes a program for the Air Force to contract the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology to provide follow-on support for the weapon system through 2031, per Liberty Times. The funding covers routine maintenance and periodic inspections, indicating the system has moved into operational service.
Ching Tien I, formerly known as the Yun Feng missile, uses a ramjet engine and can reach speeds of up to Mach 3. It has an estimated range of 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers, potentially allowing it to strike military targets in central and eastern China.
Because of its large size and earlier design, the first-generation missile is deployed primarily from fixed underground positions and mountain shelters, Liberty Times reported. The military is now pursuing an upgraded version designed to address the vulnerability of fixed-site deployment.
Ching Tien II is reportedly being developed as a road-mobile system, with plans to mount the missile on a European-made 12-by-12 heavy truck chassis. The military is also evaluating the possibility of using railway tracks for deployment and launch.
The upgraded missile is expected to feature improved propulsion technology, including a scramjet engine and solid-fuel rocket propulsion, according to Liberty Times. Its top speed is expected to exceed Mach 5, while its range could increase to more than 2,000 kilometers.
Such performance could put targets including Beijing and Wuhan within the missile's range. The system is expected to become a major component of the nation’s asymmetric deterrence capabilities.
