China’s Air Force plans a major upgrade of its range of missiles in a bid to counter the deployment of sophisticated THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea, a move vehemently opposed by Beijing as the powerful USA radars has the ability to look deep into Chinese territory.
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China’s air force will oversee the anti-missile system, spokesman Shen Jinke said Monday on the Ministry of Defense website.
“The capability of China’s air defense and anti-missile systems has greatly improved in the information age we live in. Our surface-to-air defense troops can safeguard China’s airspace and maintain a shield for China’s blue sky”.
The HQ-9 surface-to-air missile displayed in the military parade for V-Day celebration is a high-altitude and medium and long-range air defense equipment focused on hitting various aircraft. Once completed, these missiles will likely be incorporated into the current air defense system.
“The air force is shifting away from traditional territorial air defense and towards being capable of both offense and defense”, Shen explained.
The announcement comes amid increasing tensions with the United States over China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
His remarks follow China’s repeated protests against South Korea’s decision to deploy a US-developed anti-missile system, which Beijing says poses a serious threat to the nation’s security.
Earlier this month Chinese Aero space officials said China’s next-generation cruise missiles will be developed based on a modular design, allowing them to be tailor-made for specific combat situations with high level of artificial intelligence. Beijing argues that this missile defense shield threatens China’s national security by peering into Chinese territory.
The HQ-12 surface-to-air missile is a new type of medium and high-altitude air defense weapon independently designed by China and the HQ-6 air defense missile system is a new-generation terminal defense weapon equipment that realizes terminal air defense interception with its high missile precision and high firing rate of the anti-aircraft gun.
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China, anxious that the THAAD system’s radar will expose vulnerabilities in China’s developing national defense system, has stated that it will take “necessary measures” to restore the balance of power in the region.
