Taipei — September 17, 2025 — The biennial Taipei Aerospace and Defense Exhibition is set to open on September 18, bringing together more than 400 defense companies from 15 countries. Among the highlights is the National Defense Pavilion, jointly presented by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and the Ministry of National Defense’s Armaments Bureau, where Taiwan’s latest breakthroughs in defense technology will take center stage.
NCSIST has reportedly completed operational testing of its next-generation air defense missile system, the “Strongbow Missile,” which will be publicly unveiled for the first time. The system boasts an interception altitude of over 70 kilometers, surpassing current capabilities and underscoring Taiwan’s advancements in indigenous defense research and development.
Military officials disclosed that the Strongbow Missile program is slated for inclusion in Taiwan’s “Special Budget for Asymmetric Warfare and Operational Resilience,” a defense initiative exceeding one trillion yuan. The initial phase plans to manufacture two Strongbow systems and 128 missiles, with an estimated cost of NT$36.6 billion.
Currently, the Tien Kung III (Sky Bow III) system, deployed by Taiwan’s armed forces, can intercept targets at altitudes of up to 45 kilometers. Under the codename “Strong Bow Project,” NCSIST is developing two extended-range variants:
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Strongbow I (Tien Kung IV): An anti-missile interceptor reaching altitudes of 70 kilometers, surpassing the US-made Patriot III in altitude coverage.
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Strongbow II: Designed with two versions — Type A, capable of intercepting targets at 100 kilometers, comparable to the US THAAD system, and Type B, rumored to be a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a potential range of 1,000 kilometers.
To introduce the systems on display, the Ministry of National Defense will hold a pre-exhibition press conference on September 17. Key assets, including the M1A2T main battle tank, HIMARS rocket launchers, and Land Sword II missile vehicles, have already been transported to the venue and positioned.
Observers note that the Strongbow missile differs significantly from the Tien Kung III. While the Tien Kung III is a single-stage rocket, the Strongbow employs a two-stage booster system, enabling higher interception altitudes. Its larger missile body requires cylindrical launch pods, with each mobile launch vehicle carrying four Strongbow pods alongside a new phased radar vehicle for guidance.
With the exhibition opening tomorrow, the unveiling of the Strongbow Missile underscores Taiwan’s push to strengthen its defensive capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
