Taiwan Plans NT$36 Billion Investment in Strong Bow Missile System

Taipei: Taiwan's military has proposed a budget of NT$36 billion (US$1.13 billion) for the development and deployment of an enhanced version of the Tien Kung III surface-to-air missile system, known as the Strong Bow program, to bolster the nation's air defenses. This proposal is part of the Ministry of National Defense's (MND) 2027 budget submitted to lawmakers for review, with funding set from 2026 to 2032 to build a land-based system capable of intercepting tactical ballistic missiles. According to Focus Taiwan, the budget does not specify the exact number of Strong Bow missiles to be procured, though the first batch is slated for delivery to the Air Force in 2028. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), Taiwan's premier military research and development institution, will spearhead the development and manufacturing of these missiles. The allocation for the Strong Bow program is part of a record-high defense budget of NT$1.1225 trillion (US$35.3 billion) proposed for fiscal 2 027, representing 3.01 percent of Taiwan's GDP. However, this budget still requires approval from the Legislative Yuan, which previously did not approve the 2026 fiscal budget until mid-August 2026. NCSIST President Li Shih-chiang previously described the Strong Bow as an upgraded version of the Tien Kung III system, designed to intercept high-flying cruise and ballistic missiles at altitudes up to 70 kilometers. Lu Chien-sheng, deputy head of the program, highlighted the missile's advanced features, including its active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire-control system, which enhances accuracy, situational awareness, and the ability to track and engage multiple targets simultaneously. The Strong Bow system will complement existing ground-based air defense systems, such as the Tien Kung III and the United States-made Patriot PAC-3 systems, which intercept missile threats at lower altitudes. This integration aims to create a multilayered air defense network for Taiwan. Additionally, the 2027 budget pr oposal indicates the Army's plan to procure 178 latest-generation indigenous armored combat vehicles equipped with 105mm assault guns, at an estimated cost of NT$57 billion between 2027 and 2033. Known as the Clouded Leopard, these eight-wheeled vehicles feature a "hunter-killer" capability akin to the United States-made M1A2 tank, enabling them to engage one target while tracking another. The domestically-made Clouded Leopard has been in service with Taiwan's Army since late 2011.