Latest news with #PrSMs
Sydney Morning Herald
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
The game-changing new missile that could halt China
Each launch pod will be able to hold two of the precision missiles, compared to just a single ATACM, according to Alex Miller, the US Army's chief technology officer. It is also said to be less susceptible to jamming. The PrSMs combine those next-generation improvements with the advantages of the HIMARS and MLRS systems, which are quick, agile and relatively easy to disguise – and could wreak havoc on Chinese ships attempting an invasion. Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, said: 'It really creates a challenge for our adversaries because where that system is now, it may not be there in 30 seconds or five minutes … That's a real detection and targeting dilemma.' Both the US and China are ramping up their military capabilities in the Pacific and particularly around Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory even though it has effectively been independent since the 1940s. Taiwan under threat Earlier this year, Xi Jinping, the Chinese president , said 'reunification' with China was inevitable, and that those on either side of the Taiwan Strait were 'one family'. China has regularly threatened Taiwan with fighter jet and warship incursions, but has always stopped short of a direct confrontation. At a security conference in May, Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan 'could be imminent'. The stakes couldn't be higher for both sides. If the US's military capabilities are outstripped by China, it would prove fatal to Taiwan, which relies on Washington to provide a credible deterrent. And if the island nation falls, it means the loss of a key strategic buffer against Beijing's expansionism. 'The most important advantage of a weapons advance like this is it simply encourages the Chinese to say, 'No … we don't have to do it now.' ' Doug Bandow, Cato Institute But failing to take the island would inflict a stunning blow on China, and almost certainly lead to the fall of Xi's regime. 'There's always a constant battle with both sides to try to respond to whatever advances the other side has,' said Doug Bandow, a senior fellow with the Cato Institute. 'But I'd say these [PrSMs] have the potential for dramatically increasing the risk factor for a Chinese fleet. So that's substantial.' China's military will be only too aware of the damage Ukraine has managed to inflict on Russia using HIMARS since they were first provided by the US in June 2022, and will be warily eyeing the upgraded precision missiles. Taiwan already has 11 HIMARS from previous arms sales with the US, and it is expected to receive more in 2026. Bandow said the PrSMs will have inflicted an important psychological blow on China without any shots even being fired, and could convince its leadership to delay its imperial ambitions. 'The most important advantage of a weapons advance like this is it simply encourages the Chinese to say, 'No … we don't have to do it now',' he told the London Telegraph. 'In my view, the best chance of getting through this is to simply have that happen a lot. And hopefully, we can get to a point, whatever that point is, where everyone agrees war is really stupid and this won't happen.' Loading Real damage could be inflicted on the Chinese fleet, both in ports and moving out to a potential invasion, if PRsMs are deployed throughout Taiwan and the rest of the first island chain, which includes Japan, Indonesia and parts of the Philippines. Australia aligns with the US Elsewhere in the Pacific, Australia signed a $US310 million ($475.6 million) deal with the US to join the missile programme in June. 'This is all about extending deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, all about signalling to any potential adversary that pain can be inflicted,' Pat Conroy, Australia's defence industry minister, said at the test flight this month. Loading But China is also moving quickly to innovate, and earlier this year, it appeared to be constructing D-Day-style barges for an invasion that would allow it to bypass rocky or soft beaches unsuitable for tanks, providing multiple fronts for an invasion. Some experts are concerned that the US is too slow to procure PrSMs. The Pentagon's recent funding request to Congress shows the Army intends to buy 44 of the missiles from Lockheed Martin. 'There's very rarely a decisive game changer by itself … but this is a key capability for the United States and our allies to have,' Bowman said.
The Age
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
The game-changing new missile that could halt China
Each launch pod will be able to hold two of the precision missiles, compared to just a single ATACM, according to Alex Miller, the US Army's chief technology officer. It is also said to be less susceptible to jamming. The PrSMs combine those next-generation improvements with the advantages of the HIMARS and MLRS systems, which are quick, agile and relatively easy to disguise – and could wreak havoc on Chinese ships attempting an invasion. Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, said: 'It really creates a challenge for our adversaries because where that system is now, it may not be there in 30 seconds or five minutes … That's a real detection and targeting dilemma.' Both the US and China are ramping up their military capabilities in the Pacific and particularly around Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory even though it has effectively been independent since the 1940s. Taiwan under threat Earlier this year, Xi Jinping, the Chinese president , said 'reunification' with China was inevitable, and that those on either side of the Taiwan Strait were 'one family'. China has regularly threatened Taiwan with fighter jet and warship incursions, but has always stopped short of a direct confrontation. At a security conference in May, Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan 'could be imminent'. The stakes couldn't be higher for both sides. If the US's military capabilities are outstripped by China, it would prove fatal to Taiwan, which relies on Washington to provide a credible deterrent. And if the island nation falls, it means the loss of a key strategic buffer against Beijing's expansionism. 'The most important advantage of a weapons advance like this is it simply encourages the Chinese to say, 'No … we don't have to do it now.' ' Doug Bandow, Cato Institute But failing to take the island would inflict a stunning blow on China, and almost certainly lead to the fall of Xi's regime. 'There's always a constant battle with both sides to try to respond to whatever advances the other side has,' said Doug Bandow, a senior fellow with the Cato Institute. 'But I'd say these [PrSMs] have the potential for dramatically increasing the risk factor for a Chinese fleet. So that's substantial.' China's military will be only too aware of the damage Ukraine has managed to inflict on Russia using HIMARS since they were first provided by the US in June 2022, and will be warily eyeing the upgraded precision missiles. Taiwan already has 11 HIMARS from previous arms sales with the US, and it is expected to receive more in 2026. Bandow said the PrSMs will have inflicted an important psychological blow on China without any shots even being fired, and could convince its leadership to delay its imperial ambitions. 'The most important advantage of a weapons advance like this is it simply encourages the Chinese to say, 'No … we don't have to do it now',' he told the London Telegraph. 'In my view, the best chance of getting through this is to simply have that happen a lot. And hopefully, we can get to a point, whatever that point is, where everyone agrees war is really stupid and this won't happen.' Loading Real damage could be inflicted on the Chinese fleet, both in ports and moving out to a potential invasion, if PRsMs are deployed throughout Taiwan and the rest of the first island chain, which includes Japan, Indonesia and parts of the Philippines. Australia aligns with the US Elsewhere in the Pacific, Australia signed a $US310 million ($475.6 million) deal with the US to join the missile programme in June. 'This is all about extending deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, all about signalling to any potential adversary that pain can be inflicted,' Pat Conroy, Australia's defence industry minister, said at the test flight this month. Loading But China is also moving quickly to innovate, and earlier this year, it appeared to be constructing D-Day-style barges for an invasion that would allow it to bypass rocky or soft beaches unsuitable for tanks, providing multiple fronts for an invasion. Some experts are concerned that the US is too slow to procure PrSMs. The Pentagon's recent funding request to Congress shows the Army intends to buy 44 of the missiles from Lockheed Martin. 'There's very rarely a decisive game changer by itself … but this is a key capability for the United States and our allies to have,' Bowman said.
The Irish Sun
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Is THIS Trump's secret weapon to stop China invading Taiwan? Game-changer PRSM missile to wipe out Xi's armada is tested
A GAME-CHANGING new weapon has been successfully tested by the US as they continue to warn China against attacking Taiwan. Donald Trump has overseen the creation of the precision strike missiles (PrSMs) which are capable of wiping out Xi Jinping's whole armada should the despot launch an invasion . Advertisement 9 Australia successfully test-fired the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the first time Credit: Defence Industry Europe/CPL Cameron Pegg. 9 The PrSMs struck a target more than 190 miles away 9 China's Xi Jinping has vowed to take over Taiwan 'by force' if necessary despite the US threats Credit: Alamy 9 Washington and its allies have been trying to fend off a looming Chinese attack on their neighbours . Beijing has been In recent months the US has voiced serious concerns around what China is planning with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warning an attack is "real and imminent". Hegseth said communist Beijing is "rehearsing for the real deal" and described the looming threat as a "wake-up call" for the world. Advertisement read more in China vs Taiwan Part of America's deterrence has seen them help to build a weapon capable of obliterating Chinese warships and aircraft carriers should a conflict ever spark in the region. The PrSMs have just been tested in Australia with the successful launch seeing it strike a target more than 190 miles away. It marks the first time the 13ft Lockheed Martin-manufactured weapon has been used by a US ally. The design means it can be fired by either US-made HIMARS launchers or British MLRS artillery systems. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Latest Despite only reaching 190 miles during testing, designers say the missiles have a range of more than 300 miles. Ukraine currently uses the ATACMS missiles to fend off Vladimir Putin's Russia but these only have a maximum range of 190 miles. Taiwan troops use UNDERGROUND network to outsmart a Chinese invasion in unprecedented drills Another major milestone for the PrSMs is the speeds they reach. In Australia , the missile managed to soar past 4,000kmph- a remarkable 300kmph faster than the ATACMS. Advertisement Each missile launch pod will also be able to carry two of the precision missiles at any time, according to Alex Miller, the US Army's chief technology officer. Miller also proudly announced the PrSM is less susceptible to jamming meaning it has a far greater efficiency. It is expertly able to disguise itself through the air and go undetected until it is too late. Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, was full of praise for the new weapon. Advertisement He said: "It really creates a challenge for our adversaries, because where that system is now, it may not be there in 30 seconds or five minutes. "That's a real detection and targeting dilemma." 9 Experts have been full of praise for the effectiveness of the new weapon 9 Armoured amphibious units from China have been spotted practising naval formation in the latest threats to Taiwan Advertisement 9 Future upgrades to the missile are already in the works with developers hoping to exceed 300 miles and to integrate improved sensors and advanced warheads. China themselves have been working to assemble their own high-tech arsenal of weapons should a total war erupt. Vast improvements to their stealth bombers, missiles and drones have all taken place recently. Advertisement A new Chinese drone carrier that can launch deadly swarms against enemy targets has already been readied for takeoff . This unmanned With Xi even organising a set of "Terminator troops" to fight till the death. Beijing may be planning to genetically-modify its soldiers for an army of super troops, a defence think tank has warned. Advertisement Experts at Rusi say GM soldiers could be faster, stronger and cleverer than their battlefield opponents and even feel no pain. Their DNA could also be adapted to help them recover more quickly from injuries or give them superior hearing and night vision. China has sought to ramp up its military capabilities in recent years. Their military buildup has been watched warily around the world, as annexing Taiwan by force draws closer. Advertisement China has frequently Taiwan, known diplomatically as the Republic of China, has never been controlled by the Beijing-led People's Republic of China. But Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, has vowed to bring the island under Beijing's control soon. Any full invasion of Taiwan would likely be viewed as an attack on the US and prompt Trump's military to become directly involved in the region. Advertisement The US has been the island's strongest allies for decades as their main arms supplier - and Taiwan accounts for almost half of America's key microchips. 9 Donald Trump and Xi Jinping pictured in 2019 in Japan Credit: AFP 9
The Sun
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Is THIS Trump's secret weapon to stop China invading Taiwan? Game-changer PRSM missile to wipe out Xi's armada is tested
A GAME-CHANGING new weapon has been successfully tested by the US as they continue to warn China against attacking Taiwan. Donald Trump has overseen the creation of the precision strike missiles (PrSMs) which are capable of wiping out Xi Jinping's whole armada should the despot launch an invasion . 9 9 9 9 Washington and its allies have been trying to fend off a looming Chinese attack on their neighbours. Beijing has been staging war drills and sending terrifying threats to the self-governed island for years now. In recent months the US has voiced serious concerns around what China is planning with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warning an attack is "real and imminent". Hegseth said communist Beijing is "rehearsing for the real deal" and described the looming threat as a "wake-up call" for the world. Part of America's deterrence has seen them help to build a weapon capable of obliterating Chinese warships and aircraft carriers should a conflict ever spark in the region. The PrSMs have just been tested in Australia with the successful launch seeing it strike a target more than 190 miles away. It marks the first time the 13ft Lockheed Martin-manufactured weapon has been used by a US ally. The design means it can be fired by either US-made HIMARS launchers or British MLRS artillery systems. Despite only reaching 190 miles during testing, designers say the missiles have a range of more than 300 miles. Ukraine currently uses the ATACMS missiles to fend off Vladimir Putin's Russia but these only have a maximum range of 190 miles. Another major milestone for the PrSMs is the speeds they reach. In Australia, the missile managed to soar past 4,000kmph- a remarkable 300kmph faster than the ATACMS. Each missile launch pod will also be able to carry two of the precision missiles at any time, according to Alex Miller, the US Army's chief technology officer. Miller also proudly announced the PrSM is less susceptible to jamming meaning it has a far greater efficiency. It is expertly able to disguise itself through the air and go undetected until it is too late. Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, was full of praise for the new weapon. He said: "It really creates a challenge for our adversaries, because where that system is now, it may not be there in 30 seconds or five minutes. "That's a real detection and targeting dilemma." 9 9 Future upgrades to the missile are already in the works with developers hoping to exceed 300 miles and to integrate improved sensors and advanced warheads. China themselves have been working to assemble their own high-tech arsenal of weapons should a total war erupt. Vast improvements to their stealth bombers, missiles and drones have all taken place recently. A new Chinese drone carrier that can launch deadly swarms against enemy targets has already been readied for takeoff. This unmanned "drone mother ship" has been created as part of a terrifying drive to boost the Chinese air force's combat capabilities. With Xi even organising a set of "Terminator troops" to fight till the death. Beijing may be planning to genetically-modify its soldiers for an army of super troops, a defence think tank has warned. Experts at Rusi say GM soldiers could be faster, stronger and cleverer than their battlefield opponents and even feel no pain. Their DNA could also be adapted to help them recover more quickly from injuries or give them superior hearing and night vision. China has sought to ramp up its military capabilities in recent years. Their military buildup has been watched warily around the world, as annexing Taiwan by force draws closer. China has frequently carried out naval drills in the Taiwan Strait - which are widely seen as preparation for a potential invasion. Taiwan, known diplomatically as the Republic of China, has never been controlled by the Beijing-led People's Republic of China. But Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, has vowed to bring the island under Beijing's control soon. Any full invasion of Taiwan would likely be viewed as an attack on the US and prompt Trump's military to become directly involved in the region. The US has been the island's strongest allies for decades as their main arms supplier - and Taiwan accounts for almost half of America's key microchips. 9 9
Scottish Sun
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Is THIS Trump's secret weapon to stop China invading Taiwan? Game-changer PRSM missile to wipe out Xi's armada is tested
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GAME-CHANGING new weapon has been successfully tested by the US as they continue to warn China against attacking Taiwan. Donald Trump has overseen the creation of the precision strike missiles (PrSMs) which are capable of wiping out Xi Jinping's whole armada should the despot launch an invasion . Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Australia successfully test-fired the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the first time Credit: Defence Industry Europe/CPL Cameron Pegg. 9 The PrSMs struck a target more than 190 miles away 9 China's Xi Jinping has vowed to take over Taiwan 'by force' if necessary despite the US threats Credit: Alamy 9 Washington and its allies have been trying to fend off a looming Chinese attack on their neighbours. Beijing has been staging war drills and sending terrifying threats to the self-governed island for years now. In recent months the US has voiced serious concerns around what China is planning with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warning an attack is "real and imminent". Hegseth said communist Beijing is "rehearsing for the real deal" and described the looming threat as a "wake-up call" for the world. Part of America's deterrence has seen them help to build a weapon capable of obliterating Chinese warships and aircraft carriers should a conflict ever spark in the region. The PrSMs have just been tested in Australia with the successful launch seeing it strike a target more than 190 miles away. It marks the first time the 13ft Lockheed Martin-manufactured weapon has been used by a US ally. The design means it can be fired by either US-made HIMARS launchers or British MLRS artillery systems. Despite only reaching 190 miles during testing, designers say the missiles have a range of more than 300 miles. Ukraine currently uses the ATACMS missiles to fend off Vladimir Putin's Russia but these only have a maximum range of 190 miles. Taiwan troops use UNDERGROUND network to outsmart a Chinese invasion in unprecedented drills Another major milestone for the PrSMs is the speeds they reach. In Australia, the missile managed to soar past 4,000kmph- a remarkable 300kmph faster than the ATACMS. Each missile launch pod will also be able to carry two of the precision missiles at any time, according to Alex Miller, the US Army's chief technology officer. Miller also proudly announced the PrSM is less susceptible to jamming meaning it has a far greater efficiency. It is expertly able to disguise itself through the air and go undetected until it is too late. Brad Bowman, a senior director at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, was full of praise for the new weapon. He said: "It really creates a challenge for our adversaries, because where that system is now, it may not be there in 30 seconds or five minutes. "That's a real detection and targeting dilemma." 9 Experts have been full of praise for the effectiveness of the new weapon 9 Armoured amphibious units from China have been spotted practising naval formation in the latest threats to Taiwan 9 Future upgrades to the missile are already in the works with developers hoping to exceed 300 miles and to integrate improved sensors and advanced warheads. China themselves have been working to assemble their own high-tech arsenal of weapons should a total war erupt. Vast improvements to their stealth bombers, missiles and drones have all taken place recently. A new Chinese drone carrier that can launch deadly swarms against enemy targets has already been readied for takeoff. This unmanned "drone mother ship" has been created as part of a terrifying drive to boost the Chinese air force's combat capabilities. With Xi even organising a set of "Terminator troops" to fight till the death. Beijing may be planning to genetically-modify its soldiers for an army of super troops, a defence think tank has warned. Experts at Rusi say GM soldiers could be faster, stronger and cleverer than their battlefield opponents and even feel no pain. Their DNA could also be adapted to help them recover more quickly from injuries or give them superior hearing and night vision. China has sought to ramp up its military capabilities in recent years. Their military buildup has been watched warily around the world, as annexing Taiwan by force draws closer. China has frequently carried out naval drills in the Taiwan Strait - which are widely seen as preparation for a potential invasion. Taiwan, known diplomatically as the Republic of China, has never been controlled by the Beijing-led People's Republic of China. But Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, has vowed to bring the island under Beijing's control soon. Any full invasion of Taiwan would likely be viewed as an attack on the US and prompt Trump's military to become directly involved in the region. The US has been the island's strongest allies for decades as their main arms supplier - and Taiwan accounts for almost half of America's key microchips. 9 Donald Trump and Xi Jinping pictured in 2019 in Japan Credit: AFP
