A rocket collected by screwdriver: Taiwan produces Barracuda-500 rocket almost manually (video)

To spread: Taiwan officially started production of a winged Barracuda-500 winged rocket and introduced the first collected unit. Weapons were developed by the US company Anduril Industries, but in Taiwan this rocket immediately became a symbol of a new approach to weapons - the bet is on mass, simplicity and low cost. Against the background of the increasing threat from China, Taiwa hurries to strengthen his armed forces, writes Reuters.

In such circumstances, the authorities of the island state plan to establish mass production of missiles intended for group attacks on warships operating on the principle of drones-Kamikadze. Barracuda-500 was one of these decisions. It is able to impress targets at a distance of more than 900 km, and its combat unit weighing 45 kg is comparable to the charge of Iranian-Russian "Shahmed". But the main advantage is the price and simplicity of production. Each rocket costs less than $ 6.

5 million (about $ 216 thousand), and it requires 95% less tools and 50% less than traditional cruise missiles. In the video video Anduril showed that Barracuda-500 can be collected literally with a screwdriver and a wrench-a rarity for high-precision weapons. The launch of a rocket is possible from combat aircraft (F-15E, F/A-18E/F, F-16), and from Rapid Dragon pallets, which are discharged by C-17 or C-130 transport aircraft.

This approach allows you to rapidly build up massive volleys and overload enemy air defense systems, forcing it to spend expensive anti -aircraft missiles on relatively cheap goals. For Taiwan, this is a critical element of China's restraint strategy. In the conditions where Beijing has a powerful MIC and serious air defense, a rate for mass production of cheap and fast winged missiles can be the key to successful confrontation with possible aggression.

It should be noted that on September 19, The Washington Post wrote with its own sources that US President Donald Trump blocked Taiwan's military assistance for $ 400 million, as it hopes to sign a favorable trade agreement with the China's leader Xi Jinping. We will remind, the defense contractor Anduril introduced his development called Barracuda 2024. It is a new family that contains three varieties in its current form: Barracuda-100, Barracuda-250 and Barracuda-500.