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COVER STORY

© SAAB

PRIZED ASSETS

China’s growing naval might and Russian aggression

against Ukraine have spurred an increase in demand for

anti-ship missiles.

- By Arun Sivasankaran
he ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine has provided Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) and 400 Harpoon
multiple instances that prove how integral anti-ship missiles anti-ship missiles were among the missiles used,
T are to the plans of militaries, especially in an era marked by concluded that the U.S. would run out of the
nations assiduously ramping up naval power. LRASM quickly, within the first few days of the
war, while trying to stop the invasion.
In April last year, Ukraine caught the world’s attention when it
launched two home-made Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles to sink Still in Demand
the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship Moskva. In June, the Ukrainian The demand for the tried and trusted Harpoon
Navy struck another Russian vessel - the Vasily Bekh - near the Snake isn’t slowing down. In April, the U.S. Naval Air
Island in the Black Sea. The rescue vessel, which was reportedly Systems Command signed a US$1.17 billion con-
transporting personnel, weapons, and ammunition to the island, tract with Boeing that involves delivering 400
was hit twice by Boeing-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Russia mobile, land-launched Harpoon anti-ship mis-
retaliated through missile strikes on the port city of Odesa, an attack siles to Taiwan, to help it counter the Chinese
focused on taking out Western-donated anti-ship missiles that threat. Taiwan is no stranger to the Harpoon,
had thwarted an amphibious landing by its troops in the region. In having previously purchased the ship-launched
March this year, the Russian navy flexed its muscle again, firing two versions of the missile. In March 2022, Boeing
Moskit supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles at a mock target in the won a US$498 million contract to supply Taiwan
Sea of Japan. with a Harpoon Coastal Defence System launch
equipment.
Ukraine’s success in keeping Russia at bay by deploying them is
just one of the reasons why anti-ship missiles have been in great The Harpoon, in service with the armed forces
demand among militaries. With China’s growing naval power and of more than 30 countries since 1977 and capa-
overall military might intensifying regional tensions in the Indo Pacific ble of executing both land-strike and anti-ship
region, there is a sense of urgency among countries in the region to missions, has been upgraded over the years.
enhance military capabilities. The U.S. is also keen on keeping the However, with the growing complexities of
Asian powerhouse in check and stopping it from invading Taiwan. modern warfare, several navies around the
A three-week wargame with China conducted by the Center for world have initiated action to replace it with
Strategic International Studies (CSIS), in which 450 Long Range
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